rot 1 of 2

1
2
as in decomposition
the process by which dead organic matter separates into simpler substances the rot begins shortly after the fish are killed

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

rot

2 of 2

verb

Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of rot are decay, decompose, putrefy, and spoil. While all these words mean "to undergo destructive dissolution," rot is a close synonym of decompose and often connotes foulness.

fruit was left to rot in warehouses

Where would decay be a reasonable alternative to rot?

The words decay and rot are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, decay implies a slow change from a state of soundness or perfection.

a decaying mansion

When can decompose be used instead of rot?

The words decompose and rot can be used in similar contexts, but decompose stresses a breaking down by chemical change and when applied to organic matter a corruption.

the strong odor of decomposing vegetation

When would putrefy be a good substitute for rot?

While in some cases nearly identical to rot, putrefy implies the rotting of animal matter and offensiveness to sight and smell.

corpses putrefying on the battlefield

In what contexts can spoil take the place of rot?

While the synonyms spoil and rot are close in meaning, 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 rot
Noun
What’s happened in the military is only the most vivid example of the rot that sets into any institution that abandons merit for diversity, equality for equity, expectations for inclusion. Bret Stephens, The Mercury News, 1 Feb. 2025 But like so many words our kids use these days, brain rot has brought digital lingo into the real world. Sari Hitchins, Parents, 28 Jan. 2025
Verb
The British did not cause the potatoes to rot in the ground. Fintan O'Toole, The New Yorker, 10 Mar. 2025 Rather than passively consuming whatever appears in your feeds – allowing brain rot to set in – actively seek out a variety of sources to inform you about current events. Seth Ashley, The Conversation, 7 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for rot
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rot
Noun
  • The property also grows its own herbs, greens, nuts, berries, and edible flowers.
    Bianca Salonga, Forbes, 6 Jan. 2025
  • Focus on whole foods like fruits, leafy green vegetables, fatty fish, nuts, and seeds.
    Lindsay Curtis, Health, 5 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Seeing Postecoglou snap at such a mild remark demonstrated how much the Australian’s relationship with the fans has deteriorated.
    Zak Garner-Purkis, Forbes, 23 Mar. 2025
  • Wood shelves in dry food storage area were deteriorated.
    Camila Pedrosa, Sacramento Bee, 21 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • What doesn’t decay this winter can be mulched up next spring.
    Jeff Lowenfels, Anchorage Daily News, 22 Sep. 2022
  • In particular, many theorists have wondered how the great complexity of life can be reconciled with the laws of thermodynamics that suggest that all systems must inevitably decay to a state of greatest disorder.
    The Physics arXiv Blog, Discover Magazine, 29 Apr. 2022
Noun
  • Lira, remembering the garbage, quickly takes out the trash.
    Cindy Carcamo, Los Angeles Times, 19 Mar. 2025
  • Leave the garbage can open and place it in the sun to fully dry before closing it or putting a garbage bag in it.
    Kamron Sanders, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • 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
  • Cloistered within the dense Mediterranean scrub lay crumbling remnants of bunkers and barracks.
    Gina DeCaprio Vercesi, Travel + Leisure, 13 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Crimping is the process of severing a crop at the base and laying it over to create a decomposing thatch/mulch layer for the garden without disturbing the soil.
    Anthony Reardon, Kansas City Star, 21 Mar. 2025
  • Even after your trash can is emptied, the bacteria and decomposing debris can be left behind in trace amounts, which causes the odors to remain.
    Kamron Sanders, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • But the Dutton nephew is not hearing any of that nonsense.
    Matt Cabral, EW.com, 23 Mar. 2025
  • The 38-piece capsule captures the show’s sense of kooky nautical nonsense, the lovable yellow sponge’s face crocheted into a pipsqueak-sized tote bag, printed onto swim trunks, and plastered on slingback espadrilles.
    Violet Goldstone, WWD, 20 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • But losses continued, worsened by the high inflation that had shoppers tightening their clothing budgets.
    Alina Selyukh, NPR, 17 Mar. 2025
  • Prepare for funding challenges Securing financing before a downturn worsens can be a game-changer.
    Melissa Houston, Forbes, 16 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Rot.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rot. Accessed 27 Mar. 2025.

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