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

The interiors feature Borneo ironwood, valued for its resistance to termites, rot, and fungi, with about 90 percent of the wood being reclaimed.

— Tori Latham, Robb Report, 25 Sep. 2026
The fire’s aftermath was just as bad, with cleanup crews having to contend with removing 89 million pounds of thawing, rotting meat, debris and other material.

— Alex Wigglesworth, Los Angeles Times, 23 Sep. 2026

Definition of rot

Verb

This is fun, if a little on the nose, and perhaps meant to be read ironically, evidence of how one era’s urgent fears decay into another’s kitsch.

— Emily Witt, New Yorker, 26 Sep. 2026
By writing an out-of-the-money call and an out-of-the-money put for late October, traders can harvest the elevated premium as time value rapidly decays.

— Michael Khouw, CNBC, 25 Sep. 2026

Definition of decay

Verb

Even worse, the process of trying to decompose those grounds can deprive your orchid of nutrients.

— Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 Sep. 2026
McGraw said their policy is to allow carcasses to decompose naturally, which is similar to rules followed by the Forest Preserves of Cook County, Cotter said.

— Gloria Casas, Chicago Tribune, 18 Sep. 2026

Definition of decompose

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rushing

rust

rusted

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“Rust.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rust. Accessed 3 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of rust

verb

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