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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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

Holly Bullard, chief strategy and development officer of the left-leaning Florida Policy Institute, says Florida’s policies have left traditional schools to rot.

— Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 2 Oct. 2026
But these two things at a certain time of year, because in the summer, the cottage cheese would rot, and the eggs would spoil.

— Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of rot

Verb

Park advocates have long argued that the existing city allocation is inadequate, leaving neighborhoods with decaying recreation centers, deteriorating swimming pools and filthy park bathrooms.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2026
Activating young adults Volunteers spent most of the morning clearing out years of overgrowth, decaying structures and a greenhouse gone wild.

— Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 28 Sep. 2026

Definition of decay

Verb

The evolution of land plants and the development of soil go hand in hand—as these pioneering plants, trees, and animals died and their decomposing remains were recycled on land, by fungi and the first soil invertebrates, modern soils began to form.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 2 Oct. 2026
Even poor Maggie the cat — the only living animal in Digger’s house and possibly one of the last living animals in the world — is decomposing in his arms, his sister (Sandra Hüller) says with a shudder.

— Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 29 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 6 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of rust

verb

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