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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of decay
David Faris, Newsweek, 27 Feb. 2025
Bogs are low-oxygen environments and prevent decay, and chemicals like tannins — used in tanning leather — preserve even the organic tissues from human remains, according to Britannica.
—Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 21 Feb. 2025
Good Housekeeping, 22 Aug. 2022
Without relative economic strength, the sphere’s political and military strength will decay over time.
—George Bradt, Forbes, 7 June 2022
See All Example Sentences for decay
Noun
Community water fluoridation adjusts the amount of fluoride in drinking water to a level that will prevent tooth decay.
—David Faris, Newsweek, 27 Feb. 2025
Bogs are low-oxygen environments and prevent decay, and chemicals like tannins — used in tanning leather — preserve even the organic tissues from human remains, according to Britannica.
—Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 21 Feb. 2025
Verb
Pivet has also developed the Self-Cycle case, that according to the company is bio-available, which means when you are done with the case and aren't able to recycle, the naturally consumable plastic will decay in landfills.
—Good Housekeeping, 22 Aug. 2022
Without relative economic strength, the sphere’s political and military strength will decay over time.
—George Bradt, Forbes, 7 June 2022
See All Example Sentences for decay
Recent Examples of Synonyms for decay
Noun
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Roads and bridges are designed with strict weight limits for a reason: excessive loads accelerate structural deterioration, leading to costly repairs and safety hazards.—
Ydanis Rodriguez,
New York Daily News,
9 Mar. 2025
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In addition to this, using excessive water or harsh chemical cleaners can then lead to moisture accumulation around window seals, which can potentially cause mould growth or deterioration of the frame around the windows.—
Ashlyn Needham,
Southern Living,
8 Mar. 2025
Verb
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The story revolves around a town where the inhabitants have been mysteriously disappearing and rumours abound that there are ghosts under the lake eating human heads and leaving the rotting corpses floating on the water’s surface.—
Liz Shackleton,
Deadline,
16 Mar. 2025
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Check to make sure the soil isn't soggy or too wet, as this can lead to bulbs rotting.—
Lauren David,
Southern Living,
15 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Its effects weren’t confined to California—air quality deteriorated in neighboring states, and supply chain disruptions followed.—
Joel Carboni,
Forbes,
11 Mar. 2025
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Despite overcoming the initial infection, Thomas’ condition deteriorated.—
Amy McGorry,
Fox News,
8 Mar. 2025
Verb
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The possible explanatory layers overwhelm, and so there’s an honesty to how the series opts to focus on the devastation instead, fading out on the image of the Miller family torn apart and Eddie breaking down on Jamie’s bed.—
Nicholas Quah,
Vulture,
19 Mar. 2025
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Now, Trump's personal and fading legal troubles—combined with his brash policies concerning issues like immigration, executive power, and corporate regulations—are once again driving people to law school.—
Dan Perry,
Newsweek,
18 Mar. 2025
Verb
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The composting bin contains some 250,000 red wiggler worms that feast on the manure of the animals and poultry that live on the farm, and decompose plant detritus, coffee grounds, and table scraps as well.—
Joshua Siskin,
Orange County Register,
8 Mar. 2025
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In a forensic context, mummification occurs when a dead body dries out instead of decomposing as normal, due to a warm, dry and well-ventilated environment, according to the National Library of Medicine.—
Taijuan Moorman,
USA TODAY,
1 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Marcos appeared on nationwide television around midnight shortly after Duterte was flown out and denied the allegations of the vice president, who has had a bitter falling out with him after their whirlwind political alliance as running mates in the 2022 elections crumbled.—
Jim Gomez,
Los Angeles Times,
13 Mar. 2025
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Cloistered within the dense Mediterranean scrub lay crumbling remnants of bunkers and barracks.—
Gina DeCaprio Vercesi,
Travel + Leisure,
13 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Consumers are already losing confidence and pulling back on spending, weakening a key engine of the economy.—
Axios,
Axios,
11 Mar. 2025
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In an all-staff e-mail, Dudek wrote: Criticism, contempt, stonewalling, and defensiveness are the four forces that can end any relationship and weaken any institution. . .—
E. Tammy Kim,
The New Yorker,
11 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Players like Bobby Bonilla, George Foster, Vince Coleman, Jason Bay, Justin Verlander, Kaz Matsui, and others, came to Queens with high hopes that eventually disintegrated.—
Bob Raissman,
New York Daily News,
15 Mar. 2025
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The top courses of the concrete block had disintegrated, and were nothing more than sand and small stones.—
Tim Carter,
Hartford Courant,
15 Mar. 2025
Articles Related to decay
Cite this Entry
“Decay.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/decay. Accessed 23 Mar. 2025.
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