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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Recent Examples of rust
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
The underside of the bridge is rusting and deteriorating.
—Chris Hoffman, CBS News, 6 Mar. 2026
These prevent the tank itself from rusting and, if the rods are corroded, chances are your tank’s walls are next.
—Caroline Lubinsky, Martha Stewart, 17 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for rust
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
The underside of the bridge is rusting and deteriorating.
—Chris Hoffman, CBS News, 6 Mar. 2026
These prevent the tank itself from rusting and, if the rods are corroded, chances are your tank’s walls are next.
—Caroline Lubinsky, Martha Stewart, 17 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for rust
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rust
Verb
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When they are exposed to cold temperatures, the process that allows mold and other fruit-rotting microorganisms to grow is slowed down.—
Jessica Farthing,
Southern Living,
10 Apr. 2026
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Turns out you don’t have to suffer rotting flesh to be undead.—
Courtney Crowder,
USA Today,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
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All of this will be powered by a Multi-Mission Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generator (MMRTG) that converts the heat of decaying plutonium into electricity; this is commonly used on deep-space missions.—
Phil Plait,
Scientific American,
10 Apr. 2026
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Remove decaying leaves from containers and empty out the saucers after watering.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Drainage problems and decomposing leaves and mulch will quickly attract them.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
10 Apr. 2026
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Clements said the mistaken identification may have happened because the creature decomposed and lost its telltale shell before it was fossilized, complicating identification.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Lead pipes can corrode and contaminate drinking water.—
Molly Morrow,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Apr. 2026
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Most of their efforts focused on improving the catalytic converter, made more plausible when Engelhard determined that catalytic converters wouldn’t corrode with unleaded gasoline.—
Ann E. Carlson,
The Conversation,
31 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Rust.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rust. Accessed 14 Apr. 2026.
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