spoilage

as in decomposition
the process by which dead organic matter separates into simpler substances in the days before refrigeration, spoilage was a constant problem

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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 spoilage However, the wrong storage conditions can reduce the viability of seeds and lead to early spoilage. Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Mar. 2025 The exact source of the potential spoilage organisms in this recall was not listed. Justin Gest, Newsweek, 20 Jan. 2025 Food safety If power goes out, fridges and freezers could be compromised, leading to potential food spoilage. Graeme Taskerud, The Denver Post, 18 Jan. 2025 These outages likely resulted in food spoilage, in addition to the loss of homes and property directly impacted by the fires. Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 7 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for spoilage

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Spoilage.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spoilage. Accessed 15 Apr. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on spoilage

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!