RUST Synonyms: 76 Similar and Opposite Words

rust

verb

Definition of rust

as in to rot

to form rust The old car was left to rust in the yard of the abandoned house.

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of rust Galen Beede, owner of Beede AC and Heating, says mulch can trap moisture against the condenser’s base pan, potentially causing the cabinet to rust from the bottom up. — Rachel Silva, Martha Stewart, 19 Sep. 2026 Photographic evidence In photos and videos captured by the divers and seen by CNN, the plane appears embedded in the seafloor, rusted and covered in barnacles, as could be expected after decades under water. — Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 18 Sep. 2026 Rust on two tomatillo sauce cans and rust with dents on five creamy mushroom sauce cans drew Stop Sales on all seven cans. — David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 15 Sep. 2026 Time can wrinkle a face and rust a piece of steel, but for Chuck Wehrli 25 years is not nearly long enough to fade a memory. — Noel Brennan, CBS News, 10 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for rust

Recent Examples of Synonyms for rust

Verb

In recent years, many grape growers have left fruit to rot on vines, and many winemakers have product sitting in tanks.

— Lizzie Kane, Sacbee.com, 16 Oct. 2026
The bacteria comes from a variety of sources, including soil, water, sewage, rotting vegetation and animals, according to the FDA.

— Eva Flowe October 15, Charlotte Observer, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of rot

Verb

Wrens, chickadees, titmice, thrushes and nuthatches all forage either through the leaf canopy or the slowly decaying ground litter for beetles, caterpillars, spiders, ants and other insects.

— Karen Hugg, Washington Post, 11 Oct. 2026
Although a horrifying sea creature sits at the center of the show, this story is about a man desperate to cling to a decaying past, a grieving family and how greed can create monsters.

— Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of decay

Verb

The first responding officer opened one of the suitcases and discovered a woman's decomposing body -- naked, bound with rope and in a fetal position.

— ABC News, ABC News, 16 Oct. 2026
Remnants of a wooden spear weren’t found near the Neanderthal’s remains, which is understandable since the material often decomposes so quickly.

— Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of decompose

Verb

Chloride ions in seawater can react at the anode and corrode the electrode.

— Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 5 Oct. 2026
Deterioration is exacerbated if water reaches the steel rebar, corroding from inside the concrete mass and thereby weakening the integrity of the wall.

— Jeffrey Weiss, Artforum, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of corrode

Browse Nearby Words

rushing

rust

rusted

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“Rust.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rust. Accessed 18 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of rust

verb

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