1
as in decomposes
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in deteriorates
to become worse or of less value
the restaurant's standards for food and service had decayed over the years
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in fades
to lose bodily strength or vigor
having reached her 80s, the woman could sense that her body was decaying
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Recent Examples of decays
This could include some sort of novel, exotic form of mass or energy, a non-standard form of dark matter or dark energy that decays or otherwise interacts, or a modification to one or more laws of physics.
—
Ethan Siegel, Big Think, 2 Sep. 2025
Competitive advantage now decays in months, not years.
—Jason Wingard, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2025
As the emitter naturally decays, electrons (in the form of beta particles) strike the absorber.
—IEEE Spectrum, 25 Aug. 2025
So as radioactive uranium slowly decays into lead, the ratio of uranium to lead provides the age of the crystal.
—Howard Lee, ArsTechnica, 11 Aug. 2025
This technique relies on the fact that naturally occurring uranium decays over long but well-known periods of time to eventually transform into lead.
—Briana Pobiner, The Conversation, 11 Apr. 2025
Because plutonium-238 decays slowly, losing only half its atoms over about 90 years, an RTG is ideal for missions that outlast the life span of typical batteries, fuel cells, or solar panels.
—Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 7 Apr. 2025
The audio isn't much to listen to—just some static followed by a staticky explosive noise that decays in swirling fashion for multiple seconds.
—Nate Anderson, Ars Technica, 12 Feb. 2025
Once in a very great while, an ephemeral particle called a kaon arises and then quickly decays away into three other obscure entities.
—Clara Moskowitz, Scientific American, 1 Oct. 2024
Ethan Siegel, Big Think, 2 Sep. 2025
Competitive advantage now decays in months, not years.
—Jason Wingard, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2025
As the emitter naturally decays, electrons (in the form of beta particles) strike the absorber.
—IEEE Spectrum, 25 Aug. 2025
So as radioactive uranium slowly decays into lead, the ratio of uranium to lead provides the age of the crystal.
—Howard Lee, ArsTechnica, 11 Aug. 2025
This technique relies on the fact that naturally occurring uranium decays over long but well-known periods of time to eventually transform into lead.
—Briana Pobiner, The Conversation, 11 Apr. 2025
Because plutonium-238 decays slowly, losing only half its atoms over about 90 years, an RTG is ideal for missions that outlast the life span of typical batteries, fuel cells, or solar panels.
—Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 7 Apr. 2025
The audio isn't much to listen to—just some static followed by a staticky explosive noise that decays in swirling fashion for multiple seconds.
—Nate Anderson, Ars Technica, 12 Feb. 2025
Once in a very great while, an ephemeral particle called a kaon arises and then quickly decays away into three other obscure entities.
—Clara Moskowitz, Scientific American, 1 Oct. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for decays
Verb
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When leaves fall to the ground, the carbon stays in these leaves, breaks down, and decomposes and releases nutrients back into the soil that plants can take in.—
Saleen Martin,
USA Today,
14 Sep. 2025
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The calculation, called the Fourier transform, decomposes any function into its parts.—
Shalma Wegsman,
Quanta Magazine,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Remodels stall, menu updates fall flat, and guest experience deteriorates.—
Jim Osman,
Forbes.com,
13 Sep. 2025
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This means green signals are inherently weaker, and when outdoor sunlight adds noise, the measurement range shrinks even further, and accuracy deteriorates.—
Atharva Gosavi,
Interesting Engineering,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
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As the afterglow of the midyear continental tournaments fades back into seasonal play in global women’s soccer, there’s been a trend of superlative record-breaking, from the youngest professional goal scorers to the most lucrative transfer fees.—
Tamerra Griffin,
New York Times,
10 Sep. 2025
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If an online trend fades or followers are lost, the name tends to lose steam as well.—
Sarah Scott,
Parents,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The debris collides with Earth's atmosphere at high speed and disintegrates, creating fiery and colorful streaks in the sky.—
Jenna Prestininzi,
Freep.com,
12 Aug. 2025
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Recruits typically come from deprived areas, and as Russia’s economy disintegrates in slow motion, the bonanza offered by the army looks increasingly appealing.—
David Hambling,
Forbes.com,
7 Aug. 2025
Verb
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The film reportedly follows Streep’s Miranda as the magazine industry crumbles around her.—
Jack Dunn,
Variety,
5 Aug. 2025
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However, the film often crumbles under the weight of the ambitions.—
Sweta Kaushal,
Forbes.com,
5 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Any delay in release weakens hatchlings and affects their survival rates.—
M. Rajshekhar,
Time,
11 Sep. 2025
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Beyond 100 people, culture often fragments, communication distorts and the founder’s vision weakens.—
Jonathan Low,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
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If Britain continues down the path of criminalizing thought and prayer, the alliance risks being reduced to polite diplomacy while its moral core rots away.—
Lois McLatchie Miller,
MSNBC Newsweek,
20 Aug. 2025
Verb
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In September and October, the core of the Milky Way is visible as soon as twilight descends.—
Stephanie Vermillion,
Travel + Leisure,
14 Sep. 2025
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Each fisher who descends on Bristol Bay for the season can’t afford to take their eye off of the prize.—
Andrew Watman,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Decays.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/decays. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.
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