as in deterioration
a gradual sinking and wasting away of mind or body
the decaying of the bone mass that is so regrettably common in elderly women
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in ramshackle
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in dying
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in rotting
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 deteriorating
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 fading
to lose bodily strength or vigor
having reached her 80s, the woman could sense that her body was decaying
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 decaying
Shania Russell, EW.com, 5 Jan. 2025
But in the city’s old neighborhoods, nothing seems to have changed apart from new street signs that have been posted incongruously on decaying buildings and market stalls.
—Robert F. Worth, The Atlantic, 2 Jan. 2025
Of course, many would argue that Old Trafford's decaying state and the lack of a league title since Sir Alex Ferguson over a decade ago indicate that accountability levels have dropped two levels.
—Zak Garner-Purkis, Forbes, 29 Dec. 2024
Five decades later, the facility is decaying and seemingly on the brink of closure — but the holiday tradition has continued.
—Keri Blakinger, Los Angeles Times, 26 Dec. 2024
One common pattern in decaying democracies are attacks on judicial figures.
—Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 24 Dec. 2024
During a boat ride into Trinity Bay, just outside of Houston, the team carefully tested 10 decaying offshore wells and found seven to be leaking combustible gas at the time.
—Evan Simon, ABC News, 19 Dec. 2024
The waves clean off decaying organic matter that could cause pockets of low oxygen, which can be fatal to pupfish eggs.
—Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 12 Dec. 2024
Piles of clothes and bedrolls were lit by the smartphone flashlights of civilians combing the decaying maze for clues.
—Richard Engel, NBC News, 10 Dec. 2024
Verb
The It alum underwent yet another dramatic transformation for his latest role, including prosthetics to give him decaying skin, protruding cheekbones, and an altogether frightening look.
—Shania Russell, EW.com, 5 Jan. 2025
But in the city’s old neighborhoods, nothing seems to have changed apart from new street signs that have been posted incongruously on decaying buildings and market stalls.
—Robert F. Worth, The Atlantic, 2 Jan. 2025
Of course, many would argue that Old Trafford's decaying state and the lack of a league title since Sir Alex Ferguson over a decade ago indicate that accountability levels have dropped two levels.
—Zak Garner-Purkis, Forbes, 29 Dec. 2024
Five decades later, the facility is decaying and seemingly on the brink of closure — but the holiday tradition has continued.
—Keri Blakinger, Los Angeles Times, 26 Dec. 2024
One common pattern in decaying democracies are attacks on judicial figures.
—Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 24 Dec. 2024
During a boat ride into Trinity Bay, just outside of Houston, the team carefully tested 10 decaying offshore wells and found seven to be leaking combustible gas at the time.
—Evan Simon, ABC News, 19 Dec. 2024
The waves clean off decaying organic matter that could cause pockets of low oxygen, which can be fatal to pupfish eggs.
—Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 12 Dec. 2024
Piles of clothes and bedrolls were lit by the smartphone flashlights of civilians combing the decaying maze for clues.
—Richard Engel, NBC News, 10 Dec. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for decaying
Noun
-
Kahle, who early on recognized the ephemeral nature of the web, said the rapid deterioration of the living web is a serious threat to historical preservation.—
Emma Bowman,
NPR,
23 Mar. 2025
-
Of course, however, a severe deterioration in the U.S. economy would have global repercussions.—
Sarah Min,
CNBC,
20 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Wide public spaces and malls replace the ramshackle markets.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
Newsweek,
4 Mar. 2025
-
And there was an uninsulated, ramshackle garden shed of less than 100 square feet that Ms. Prentiss imagined could be used as a writing studio.—
Tim McKeough,
New York Times,
21 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
Then came the yacht’s renaissance by her father, who saw beauty and sailing prowess inside a rotting hull.—
Tristan Rutherford,
Robb Report,
3 Jan. 2025
-
Rotting Flesh and the Skeleton Underneath Eggers wanted the audience almost to smell the rotting flesh when the sarcophagus is flipped open.—
Chris O'Falt,
IndieWire,
2 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
Her body is deteriorating in front of us, and yet my daughter and her vet say, if (the dog) looks happy, leave her be.—
Joan Morris,
The Mercury News,
30 Dec. 2024
-
With the relationship between the two companies deteriorating, Qualcomm may have to consider using another architecture before its ALA expires in 2033.—
Jim McGregor,
Forbes,
20 Dec. 2024
Noun
-
Since then, the levels have been adjusted to a maximum of 0.7 ppm or 0.7 milligrams of fluoride per liter of water, which is considered optimal for preventing tooth decay.—
Mary Walrath-Holdridge,
USA Today,
28 Mar. 2025
-
Weak or absent pulse Chronic Limb-Threatening Ischemia Some people with severe arterial blockages develop chronic limb-threatening ischemia (insufficient blood flow), which can cause severe, constant pain, gangrene (tissue decay), and even limb loss (amputation).—
Alicen Nelson MD,
Verywell Health,
27 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Griff's was a cozy space inside with a small, rickety wooden patio in the front and a larger one in the back.—
Brianna Griff,
Chron,
13 Jan. 2023
-
Instead of rickety outdoor patios with plastic partitions, diners mostly ate in dining rooms.—
Nick Kindelsperger,
Chicago Tribune,
28 Dec. 2022
Verb
-
This stylish planter keeps plants well-watered and is virtually indestructible, designed to resist cracking and crumbling even in freezing temperatures.—
Rachel Ahrnsen,
Better Homes & Gardens,
3 Jan. 2025
-
Since gaining public recognition in 2013, a spate of crumbling buildings in Ireland has been known as the mica crisis or scandal.—
The Editors,
JSTOR Daily,
31 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
Moffett also said artificial intelligence isn’t driving an upgrade cycle as hoped, noting that there is weakening demand in China along with antitrust concerns.—
Jason Gewirtz,
CNBC,
8 Jan. 2025
-
With high expectations for future new orders along with expanding current new orders, the outlooks for material handling and supply chain industries are positive, despite some weakening in the December MHI BAI report.—
Jason Schenker,
Forbes,
7 Jan. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Decaying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/decaying. Accessed 3 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share