putrid

adjective

pu·trid ˈpyü-trəd

Synonyms of putrid

: being in a state of putrefaction : rotten

: of, relating to, or characteristic of putrefaction : foul

a putrid odor

: morally corrupt

: totally objectionable

putridity

pyü-ˈtri-də-tē

noun

putridly

ˈpyü-trəd-lē

adverb

Choose the Right Synonym for putrid

malodorous, stinking, fetid, noisome, putrid, rank, fusty, musty mean bad-smelling.

malodorous may range from the unpleasant to the strongly offensive.

malodorous fertilizers

stinking and fetid suggest the foul or disgusting.

prisoners were held in stinking cells

the fetid odor of skunk cabbage

noisome adds a suggestion of being harmful or unwholesome as well as offensive.

a stagnant, noisome sewer

putrid implies particularly the sickening odor of decaying organic matter.

the putrid smell of rotting fish

rank suggests a strong unpleasant smell.

rank cigar smoke

fusty and musty suggest lack of fresh air and sunlight, fusty also implying prolonged uncleanliness, musty stressing the effects of dampness, mildew, or age.

a fusty attic

the musty odor of a damp cellar

Examples of putrid in a Sentence

a putrid shade of green the putrid remains of a dead raccoon on the side of the highway

Recent Examples on the Web

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.

Residents explained that support offered by the company was little to no use amid heavy smoke and ash during the fire emergency, and strong putrid odors of rotting food that were only strengthened by rising temperatures. — City News Service, Daily News, 6 Aug. 2026 To this day, the putrid, offensive odor coming from the tens of millions of pounds of rotting food in the warehouse is unbearable for families. — Dean Fioresi, CBS News, 5 Aug. 2026 The front office will not allow a recent stretch of putrid baseball to influence its vision for this team. — Matt Gelb, New York Times, 1 Aug. 2026 But with temperatures spiking, the crisis over smoke from the fire has given way to a second crisis over putrid smells, insects, rodents and growing concerns over sanitation. — Los Angeles Times, 23 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for putrid

Word History

Etymology

Latin putridus, from putrēre to be rotten, from puter, putris rotten; akin to Latin putēre to stink — more at foul entry 1

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler

The first known use of putrid was in the 15th century

See more words from the same century

Cite this Entry

Style

“Putrid.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/putrid. Accessed 8 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

putrid

adjective

pu·trid ˈpyü-trəd

: being in a state of putrefaction : rotten

putrid meat

: characteristic of putrefaction : foul

a putrid odor

: morally objectionable

Medical Definition

putrid

adjective

pu·trid ˈpyü-trəd

: being in a state of putrefaction

: of, relating to, or characteristic of putrefaction

a putrid odor

putrid

adjective

Synonyms of putrid

Examples of putrid in a Sentence

Word History

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Cite this Entry

Kids Definition

Medical Definition

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