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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in decay
the process by which dead organic matter separates into simpler substances
the unmistakable smell of decomposition led us to some fruit that had fallen behind the refrigerator
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 decompose
Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 7 Mar. 2025
Some of the dead had been buried, but other bodies remained strewn on the ground, mangled and decomposing.
—Michael Luo, The New Yorker, 3 Mar. 2025
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
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
See All Example Sentences for decompose
Verb
The couple’s decomposing bodies were discovered in the pair’s home after a maintenance worker called 911.
—Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 7 Mar. 2025
Some of the dead had been buried, but other bodies remained strewn on the ground, mangled and decomposing.
—Michael Luo, The New Yorker, 3 Mar. 2025
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
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
See All Example Sentences for decompose
Recent Examples of Synonyms for decompose
Verb
-
The second phase was meant to pave the way to an end to the war, although the truce disintegrated when Israeli forces resumed airstrikes on Gaza.—
Chantal Da Silva,
NBC news,
27 Mar. 2025
-
The piece was about the cycle of life—the apple would rot and eventually disintegrate.—
David Sheff,
ARTnews.com,
24 Mar. 2025
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
Verb
-
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
-
The window company used this preservative to prevent wood rot in both the window frames and the sashes.—
Tim Carter,
Hartford Courant,
15 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
New Zealand winemakers have experimented with different styles of Sauvignon Blanc, including oak aging, barrel fermentation, and wild/natural fermentation, among other things, providing a broader range of styles to meet diverse consumer preferences.—
Joseph V Micallef,
Forbes,
22 Mar. 2025
-
Micro Bio Factory is producing indigo from sugar through microbial fermentation.—
Angela Velasquez,
Sourcing Journal,
21 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
When the surgeons finally opened her with a piece of broken glass, the putrefaction was as warm as life.—
Nell Zink,
Harper's Magazine,
28 Feb. 2025
-
Here was an artist drawn irresistibly to executions and corpses, dismemberment and putrefaction.—
airmail.news,
airmail.news,
20 Apr. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Decompose.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/decompose. Accessed 31 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share