DECOMPOSE Synonyms: 52 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'decompose' different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of decompose are decay , putrefy , rot , and spoil . While all these words mean "to undergo destructive dissolution," decompose stresses a breaking down by chemical change and when applied to organic matter a corruption. // the strong odor of decomposing vegetation

Q: Where would 'decay' be a reasonable alternative to 'decompose'?

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

Q: In what contexts can 'putrefy' take the place of 'decompose'?

In some situations, the words putrefy and decompose are roughly equivalent. However, putrefy implies the rotting of animal matter and offensiveness to sight and smell. // corpses putrefying on the battlefield

Q: How do 'rot' and 'decompose' relate to one another?

Rot is a close synonym of decompose and often connotes foulness. // fruit was left to rot in warehouses

Q: When is 'spoil' a more appropriate choice than 'decompose'?

The synonyms spoil and decompose are sometimes interchangeable, but spoil applies chiefly to the decomposition of foods. // keep the ham from spoiling

decompose

verb

ˌdē-kəm-ˈpōz

Definition of decompose next

as in to disintegrate

to go through decomposition detectives needed to know how long it would take a corpse to decompose to that advanced state

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Some common synonyms of decompose are decay, putrefy, rot, and spoil. While all these words mean "to undergo destructive dissolution," decompose stresses a breaking down by chemical change and when applied to organic matter a corruption.

the strong odor of decomposing vegetation

Where would decay be a reasonable alternative to decompose?

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

a decaying mansion

In what contexts can putrefy take the place of decompose?

In some situations, the words putrefy and decompose are roughly equivalent. However, putrefy implies the rotting of animal matter and offensiveness to sight and smell.

corpses putrefying on the battlefield

How do rot and decompose relate to one another?

Rot is a close synonym of decompose and often connotes foulness.

fruit was left to rot in warehouses

When is spoil a more appropriate choice than decompose?

The synonyms spoil and decompose are sometimes interchangeable, but spoil applies chiefly to the decomposition of foods.

keep the ham from spoiling

Examples 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 decompose Authorities were unable to determine a cause of death because the bodies were badly decomposed — and Laci's body was missing the head and both forearms. —

Christine Pelisek, People.com, 9 Oct. 2024 Gabriela Hearst, for example, has received credibility and attention for using anti-radiation fabrics and bio-plastics packaging that decompose in 24 weeks, yet the craftmanship can be compared to icons like Hermès. —

London Business School, Forbes, 26 Sep. 2024 The sight of Till’s mutilated and decomposed corpse at his open-casket funeral galvanized the civil-rights movement. —

Paige Williams, The New Yorker, 3 Nov. 2024 Listen to this article A zombie ant, a pair of bats and a gorilla lurked around the shadiest alcoves of a Cook County forest preserve on Saturday, scouring the earth for decomposing life forms. —

Peter Breen, Chicago Tribune, 30 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for decompose

Recent Examples of Synonyms for decompose

Verb

This keeps the goat cheese from muddying the salad and the orange segments from disintegrating, creating a clean-looking, beautifully colorful salad.

Julia Levy, Southern Living, 2 Nov. 2024
Plastics that have leaked into the environment eventually disintegrate into tiny pieces of plastic measuring five millimeters or less.

Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune, 1 Nov. 2024