Synonyms of rust

rust

verb

as in to rot

to form rust

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

Related Words

• rot
• decay
• decompose
• corrode
• oxidize
• crumble
• eat
• react
• deteriorate
• wither
• mold
• degenerate
• disintegrate
• sink
• perish
• bite (at)
• fester
• descend
• spoil
• decline
• dissolve
• degrade
• sweep (away)
• dilapidate
• gnaw
• wear (away)
• sour
• erode
• corrupt
• putrefy
• foul
• scour
• nibble
• contaminate
• wash out
• taint
• fret
• break down
• molder
• turn
• ferment
• pollute
• turn off
• wilt
• curdle
• defile
• lag
• waste (away)
• sag
• droop
• run down
• mortify
• languish
• weaken
• slip
• fall
• fail
• addle
• flag

Dissimilar Words

• grow
• develop
• ripen
• mature
• age
• restore
• renew
• refresh
• cleanse
• purify
• improve
• better
• assemble
• integrate
• ameliorate
• compose
• meliorate

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of rust

The dramatic reappearance of the rusting wrecks has become one of the most striking visual reminders of both Europe’s wartime history and the severe drought currently gripping much of the continent. — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 4 Aug. 2026

Today, the city’s Ferris wheel and bumper cars sit rusting untouched, the surrounding apartment blocks standing hollowed out by looters and the natural decay of time passed while trees push through the pavement where playgrounds once stood. — Kieron Marchese, Architectural Digest, 27 July 2026

Dax Poprawski, whose relatives work in the business, was sorry to see that the track had been reduced to a skeleton of itself, with rusting, exposed steel beams and weeds growing around it. — Robert McCoppin, Chicago Tribune, 25 July 2026

Why Rust Stains Keep Appearing Despite its name, rust stains don’t necessarily mean your toilet is rusting. — Jessica Safavimehr, Southern Living, 16 July 2026