as in to rot
to form rust
The old car was left to rust in the yard of the abandoned house.
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
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
If they are made of iron or steel, the fixtures begin to rust as soon as the plating is chipped, scratched, or worn away.
—
Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 3 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
Due to its strength, contact with even a diluted bleach solution can cause pitting (localized, severe corrosion causing small holes) and rusting on blades.
—Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 Feb. 2026
If cans have rusted or burst seams, throw them out right away.
—Alexis Simmerman, Austin American Statesman, 26 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for rust
Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 3 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
Due to its strength, contact with even a diluted bleach solution can cause pitting (localized, severe corrosion causing small holes) and rusting on blades.
—Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 Feb. 2026
If cans have rusted or burst seams, throw them out right away.
—Alexis Simmerman, Austin American Statesman, 26 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for rust
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rust
Verb
-
Their flowers smell like rotting meat, attracting beetles and flies to pollinate them.—
Joshua Siskin,
Oc Register,
21 Mar. 2026
-
The root system is completely rotted out of it, so winds, rain and anything can push that right over.—
Joe Holden,
CBS News,
17 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
In theory, beryllium-8 normally decays into two helium-4 nuclei.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
19 Mar. 2026
-
But the one proposed in Hartford comes between a bailout and the current reality of decaying infrastructure.—
Kenneth R. Gosselin,
Hartford Courant,
16 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
In the weeks that followed the cyclone, more than 20 decomposing bodies washed ashore in Italy and Libya while other human remains were spotted floating in the middle of the sea.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
16 Mar. 2026
-
Detectives said the victim’s body had already begun decomposing.—
Stepheny Price,
FOXNews.com,
16 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The mayor cited an example of streetlight poles whose bases are so rusted and corroded that there is a danger of them toppling over.—
Kenneth R. Gosselin,
Hartford Courant,
16 Mar. 2026
-
When payments did at last flow to Chagossian families, their value was much corroded by the inflation of the Mauritian rupee.—
David Frum,
The Atlantic,
2 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Rust.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rust. Accessed 25 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
