1
as in deterioration
a gradual sinking and wasting away of mind or body
middle-aged people who fervently hope that daily exercise will arrest the physical decay that usually accompanies advancing age
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in decomposition
the process by which dead organic matter separates into simpler substances
the cycle by which the decay of dead plants on the forest floor provides soil and nutrients for the next generation of plants
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in to rot
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 to deteriorate
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 to fade
to lose bodily strength or vigor
having reached her 80s, the woman could sense that her body was decaying
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of decay
Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 12 Feb. 2025
On the center pier — a vertical support structure — five out of the six timber beams showed severe decay.
—Nick Rosenberger, Idaho Statesman, 1 Feb. 2025
Good Housekeeping, 22 Aug. 2022
Without relative economic strength, the sphere’s political and military strength will decay over time.
—George Bradt, Forbes, 7 June 2022
See All Example Sentences for decay
Noun
Orlok is in a state of decay with intricate veining and coloring.
—Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 12 Feb. 2025
On the center pier — a vertical support structure — five out of the six timber beams showed severe decay.
—Nick Rosenberger, Idaho Statesman, 1 Feb. 2025
Verb
Pivet has also developed the Self-Cycle case, that according to the company is bio-available, which means when you are done with the case and aren't able to recycle, the naturally consumable plastic will decay in landfills.
—Good Housekeeping, 22 Aug. 2022
Without relative economic strength, the sphere’s political and military strength will decay over time.
—George Bradt, Forbes, 7 June 2022
See All Example Sentences for decay
Recent Examples of Synonyms for decay
Noun
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This industry is the major culprit in the bay’s deterioration.—
Reader Commentary,
Baltimore Sun,
14 Feb. 2025
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In the fourth quarter, revenues were up 2 percent at constant exchange rates, returning to growth after several quarters of deterioration, mainly thanks to the improvement recorded by the wholesale channel.—
Luisa Zargani,
WWD,
13 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Weather and Soil Considerations Dahlia tubers need moisture to grow but will rot in soggy soil.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
27 Feb. 2025
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Freezing speaks to all of these desires: Frozen vegetables don’t rot in the fridge.—
Meghan McCarron,
The Atlantic,
18 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Read: The chaos in higher ed is only getting started The situation could deteriorate if current doctoral students start jumping ship.—
Ian Bogost,
The Atlantic,
27 Feb. 2025
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Nearby, at the corner of Jefferson and Washington streets, a deteriorating, 1920s apartment building is slated to be incorporated into an $80 million medical office building.—
Kenneth R. Gosselin,
Hartford Courant,
26 Feb. 2025
Verb
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The blockbuster set, which is still the bestselling project in history, refuses to fade away, consistently finding a home on multiple Billboard charts.—
Hugh McIntyre,
Forbes,
7 Mar. 2025
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The second week My usual redness around my cheeks had started to fade, and the annoying pimple that had been brewing on my cheek seemed to back off without its usual dramatic entrance.—
Larry Stansbury,
Essence,
7 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Officers responding to reports of a dead woman discovered a decomposing body inside a shed at an apartment complex, Utah police and news outlets reported.—
Don Sweeney,
Sacramento Bee,
24 Feb. 2025
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Vultures not only consume dead animals that might otherwise remain out in the elements to decompose, according to the Wildlife Center of Virginia.—
Phaedra Trethan,
USA TODAY,
21 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Today, despite its crumbling condition, the concrete trough still attracts young Bosnian athletes chasing Olympic dreams.—
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
1 Mar. 2025
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But the vaccine's power to beat back measles outbreaks starts to crumble when vaccination rates drop low enough.—
Alyson Hurt,
NPR,
28 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Fed officials are closely monitoring inflation and the labor market for signs of a potentially weakening economy.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
27 Feb. 2025
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But the Trump administration's new cuts further weaken a banking watchdog that has been sounding the alarm for years about its decreasing ability to prevent future banking crises.—
Maria Aspan,
NPR,
27 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Millions of lives were at stake in the simulation, as government heads raced to decide whether or not to rocket nuclear warheads to deflect the asteroid or completely disintegrate it.—
Kevin Holden Platt,
Forbes,
3 Mar. 2025
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Were we placed under the same unforgiving microscope, even the most robust self-confidence would disintegrate, and fast.—
Morgan Fargo,
Vogue,
27 Feb. 2025
Articles Related to decay
Cite this Entry
“Decay.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/decay. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.
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