decay 1 of 2

noun

Definition of decaynext
1
as in deterioration
a gradual sinking and wasting away of mind or body middle-aged people who fervently hope that daily exercise will arrest the physical decay that usually accompanies advancing age

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2
as in decomposition
the process by which dead organic matter separates into simpler substances the cycle by which the decay of dead plants on the forest floor provides soil and nutrients for the next generation of plants

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decay

2 of 2

verb

di-ˈkā How to pronounce decay (audio)
1
as in to rot
to go through decomposition the logs decayed on the rain forest floor the atom of plutonium decayed in the test chamber

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2
as in to deteriorate
to become worse or of less value the restaurant's standards for food and service had decayed over the years

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3
as in to fade
to lose bodily strength or vigor having reached her 80s, the woman could sense that her body was decaying

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Synonym Chooser

How is the word decay different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of decay are decompose, putrefy, rot, and spoil. While all these words mean "to undergo destructive dissolution," decay implies a slow change from a state of soundness or perfection.

a decaying mansion

Where would decompose be a reasonable alternative to decay?

While the synonyms decompose and decay are close in meaning, decompose stresses a breaking down by chemical change and when applied to organic matter a corruption.

the strong odor of decomposing vegetation

In what contexts can putrefy take the place of decay?

In some situations, the words putrefy and decay are roughly equivalent. However, putrefy implies the rotting of animal matter and offensiveness to sight and smell.

corpses putrefying on the battlefield

How are the words rot and decompose related as synonyms of decay?

Rot is a close synonym of decompose and often connotes foulness.

fruit was left to rot in warehouses

When is spoil a more appropriate choice than decay?

The meanings of spoil and decay largely overlap; however, spoil applies chiefly to the decomposition of foods.

keep the ham from spoiling

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 decay
Noun
In many cities, the autonomy of drug users has taken precedence over nearly everything and everyone else, not least working-class families like Monsegur’s who must live alongside addicts and accept dystopian decay. — Michael Powell, The Atlantic, 30 July 2026 But more specifically, Nolan’s adaptation of Homer’s poem pinpoints how pervasively violence against women is a part of civilization’s moral decay. — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 29 July 2026
Verb
Both Voyager probes run on radioisotope thermoelectric generators, or devices that convert the heat provided by decaying plutonium into electricity. — Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 6 Aug. 2026 From Boyle Heights to Monterey Park, residents said they were overwhelmed by the smoke from the week-long fire, and then tormented by the horrible stench from decaying meat and seafood. — Tony Briscoe, Los Angeles Times, 6 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for decay
Recent Examples of Synonyms for decay
  1. deterioration
  2. decomposition
  3. rot
  4. deteriorate
  5. fade
  6. weakening
  7. decompose
  8. crumble
Noun
  • Caregivers like Sherwood report mass burnout, financial strain and deterioration of their own physical and mental health from the stress of providing constant care.
    — Madeline Mitchell, USA Today, 8 Aug. 2026
  • The county has been attempting to chip away at its road maintenance backlog for years, but much of its transportation budget has gone toward preventing further deterioration.
    — Madison Smalstig, Sacbee.com, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of deterioration
Noun
  • According to the medical examiner's office, the bodies were improperly stored at the funeral home and were in various states of decomposition at the time.
    — Jeramie Bizzle, CBS News, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Investigators and forensic pathologists who responded found remains in various states of decomposition.
    — Michael Sinkewicz, FOXNews.com, 8 Aug. 2026
Definition of decomposition
Verb
  • The Lineage warehouse fire, which erupted a mile away nearly two months ago, still blankets the church every morning with the fetid stench of millions of pounds of rotting food that have yet to be trucked away.
    — Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 8 Aug. 2026
  • The smell of rotting food follows Juan Canil like a second shadow.
    — Celina Tebor, CNN Money, 8 Aug. 2026
Definition of rot
Verb
  • An agreement between Tehran and Washington is yet to materialize, with prospects for a deal appearing to deteriorate over the weekend.
    — Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 11 Aug. 2026
  • In the provincial capital Pontianak, schools suspended in-person classes after air quality deteriorated to unhealthy levels and health officials reported a rise in respiratory illnesses.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of deteriorate
Verb
  • Starring Zhou Xun, Wang Xiao and Tian Zhuangzhuang, the film revolves around a middle-aged former TV host whose memory starts to slowly fade, forcing her to confront the fractures within her family and the choices that shaped her life.
    — Liz Shackleton, Deadline, 11 Aug. 2026
  • But workers who are rusting out still report to their shifts and perform, although with a fading sense of purpose.
    — Megan Cerullo, CBS News, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of fade
Noun
  • Then slow weakening is forecast as the storm moves over cooler waters and encounters dry air and wind shear.
    — Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 12 Aug. 2026
  • But lawmakers overrode those objections, and the disputes ultimately reached the Supreme Court, which environmental advocates increasingly view as the last line of defense against the weakening of environmental protections in Brazil.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of weakening
Verb
  • More than 50 decomposing bodies were found at the Far South Side funeral home last week.
    — Dave Savini, CBS News, 13 Aug. 2026
  • According to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, the investigation has been complicated by how decomposed the bodies were.
    — Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of decompose
Verb
  • In a time yet to be named, when the couple’s love crumbled in the dead of night during a blackout, the planet became populated once more.
    — Rafa Sales Ross, Variety, 11 Aug. 2026
  • Instead of crumbling in defeat, Rivera roared back with defiance.
    — Caroline Price, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of crumble

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decay
decayed
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Cite this Entry

“Decay.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/decay. Accessed 16 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on decay

Nglish: Translation of decay for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about decay

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