PUTRID Synonyms: 50 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'putrid' distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of putrid are fetid , fusty , malodorous , musty , noisome , rank , and stinking . While all these words mean "bad-smelling," putrid implies particularly the sickening odor of decaying organic matter. // the putrid smell of rotting fish

Q: How are the words 'fusty' and 'musty' related as synonyms of 'putrid'?

Both 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

Q: When would 'malodorous' be a good substitute for 'putrid'?

While in some cases nearly identical to putrid , malodorous may range from the unpleasant to the strongly offensive. // malodorous fertilizers

Q: When is 'noisome' a more appropriate choice than 'putrid'?

The synonyms noisome and putrid are sometimes interchangeable, but noisome adds a suggestion of being harmful or unwholesome as well as offensive. // a stagnant, noisome sewer

Q: When is it sensible to use 'rank' instead of 'putrid'?

The words rank and putrid are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, rank suggests a strong unpleasant smell. // rank cigar smoke

Q: How do 'stinking' and 'fetid' relate to one another, in the sense of 'putrid'?

Both stinking and fetid suggest the foul or disgusting. // prisoners were held in stinking cells // the fetid odor of skunk cabbage

putrid

adjective

ˈpyü-trəd

Definition of putrid

as in rotten

having undergone organic breakdown the putrid remains of a dead raccoon on the side of the highway

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word putrid distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of putrid are fetid, fusty, malodorous, musty, noisome, rank, and stinking. While all these words mean "bad-smelling," putrid implies particularly the sickening odor of decaying organic matter.

the putrid smell of rotting fish

How are the words fusty and musty related as synonyms of putrid?

Both 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

When would malodorous be a good substitute for putrid?

While in some cases nearly identical to putrid, malodorous may range from the unpleasant to the strongly offensive.

malodorous fertilizers

When is noisome a more appropriate choice than putrid?

The synonyms noisome and putrid are sometimes interchangeable, but noisome adds a suggestion of being harmful or unwholesome as well as offensive.

a stagnant, noisome sewer

When is it sensible to use rank instead of putrid?

The words rank and putrid are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, rank suggests a strong unpleasant smell.

rank cigar smoke

How do stinking and fetid relate to one another, in the sense of putrid?

Both stinking and fetid suggest the foul or disgusting.

prisoners were held in stinking cells

the fetid odor of skunk cabbage

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 putrid Sitting at a perfectly putrid 37-52, the Giants played what might have been their best game of the year, boat-racing the Blue Jays 10-1. — Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 7 July 2026 Maria put on a mask against the putrid smell and lay down on the ground. — Philip Wang, Time, 29 June 2026 Losing sucks, and being shown your team's progress in the classroom while the product on the field becomes increasingly putrid is definitely a slap in the face. — Austin Perry Outkick, FOXNews.com, 20 May 2026 But perhaps most importantly, the plates ended up being a great way to fast-track the cleanup minus the hell of a putrid sink and a stack of filthy dishes in the blinding morning light. — Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 24 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for putrid

Recent Examples of Synonyms for putrid

rotten

Adjective

The meeting comes after Lineage Logistics, which operates the 500,000-square-foot facility, has already been cited by AQMD officials for the rotten odor.

— Dean Fioresi, CBS News, 6 Aug. 2026
The veal barn had a smell Birdie had never smelled anywhere else—antiseptic, then sweet like a flower and rotten like manure.

— Rachel Yoder, New Yorker, 2 Aug. 2026

Definition of rotten

Browse Nearby Words

putrescent

putrid

puts

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Putrid.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/putrid. Accessed 15 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of putrid

adjective

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on putrid

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

circumscribe

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Words of the Week - Aug. 14

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

Games & Quizzes