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
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Recent Examples of rust
There’s been a particular urgency lately, said Gutierrez, because the base of the sign is rusting and deteriorating.
—
R. Christian Smith, Chicago Tribune, 29 Mar. 2026
Why would Mary Todd Lincoln want to flood my basement and rust my bowflex?
—Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 12 Mar. 2026
The tank appeared old and rusted, and was clearly marked.
—Corey J. Murray, USA Today, 12 Mar. 2026
This technique works if the metals are just a bit grimy, but wood ash can also be used to remove tarnish and rust, too.
—Lauren Landers, The Spruce, 10 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for rust
R. Christian Smith, Chicago Tribune, 29 Mar. 2026
Why would Mary Todd Lincoln want to flood my basement and rust my bowflex?
—Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 12 Mar. 2026
The tank appeared old and rusted, and was clearly marked.
—Corey J. Murray, USA Today, 12 Mar. 2026
This technique works if the metals are just a bit grimy, but wood ash can also be used to remove tarnish and rust, too.
—Lauren Landers, The Spruce, 10 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for rust
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rust
Verb
-
This could explain why the scent of cigarette smoke and rotting fish had an impact on people who were snoozing, but not on people who were awake.—
Shayla Love,
New Yorker,
1 May 2026
-
Ventilation holes allow air to circulate to prevent mold or rot.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Researchers stressed that living plastics can function when the spores are dormant and decay when the spores are activated.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
3 May 2026
-
This includes some that pass through each other like ghosts, some that interact with each other, exchanging energy, and others that decay into smaller particles, releasing a tiny bit of energy in the process.—
Robert Lea,
Space.com,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Sites that preserve soft-bodied organisms are even rarer because soft tissues decompose more easily, making these places especially useful for piecing together prehistoric ecosystems.—
Marlowe Starling,
Quanta Magazine,
1 May 2026
-
The idea is to let the body decompose naturally.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
1 May 2026
Verb
-
Regularly check the batteries inside your emergency kit to make sure they are still securely packed and have not corroded.—
Louise Parks,
Martha Stewart,
1 May 2026
-
Each piece is made of durable steel with a powder coating that won’t rust, fade, or corrode in the weather.—
Shea Simmons,
Southern Living,
29 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Rust.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rust. Accessed 8 May. 2026.
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