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
Water consistently at the base using a soaker hose to prevent diseases like blossom-end rot and foliar infections. Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 4 July 2025 This reflects the idea of decay or rot associated with damp, earthy conditions. Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025
Verb
Dark areas can indicate rot — which may have contributed to the break. Beth Botts, Chicago Tribune, 6 July 2025 If the soil around your plants stays wet, the roots of your plants will start to rot. Chris McKeown, The Enquirer, 5 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for rot
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rot
Noun
  • Use it to find and retrieve stray nuts or bolts in any crevice.
    Nora Colomer, FOXNews.com, 30 Mar. 2025
  • Vegetables like broccoli, tomatoes, mushrooms, onions, kale and asparagus are also included in most low-carb diets—as are eggs, cheese, Greek yogurt and nuts like walnuts, peanuts, macadamia nuts and pistachios.
    Daryl Austin, USA Today, 29 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • The rallies are borne of a deep dissatisfaction with the state of the economy, the deteriorating quality of public services, the administration’s overzealous approach to taxation, and police brutality.
    Ken Opalo, semafor.com, 21 July 2025
  • While the fintech company presents a mixed investment profile with strong balance sheet metrics offset by deteriorating growth and profitability challenges, the index inclusion provides near-term support for a stock that has demonstrated extreme volatility lately.
    Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 21 July 2025
Verb
  • However, when viruses were exposed to sunlight, many of them did not survive as long, decaying in under 24 hours.
    Jack Knudson, Discover Magazine, 13 Mar. 2025
  • The result was not only environmental catastrophe but license for unchecked consumption of cheap plastic goods that can take a few minutes to use but hundreds of years to decay.
    Scott W. Stern, The Atlantic, 10 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • The Bureau of Rodent Control has been increasing collaboration with the Bureau of Sanitation to replace faulty garbage carts, which rats can exploit to obtain more food.
    William Tong, Chicago Tribune, 12 July 2025
  • Another item that is often forgotten is garbage bags for collecting waste along the way, especially when passing through remote areas without public bins.
    Dianne Plummer, Forbes.com, 12 July 2025
Verb
  • The school plans to kick off the upcoming high school football season with the new seating, which replaced crumbling concrete bleachers that were estimated at roughly 50 years old.
    Katie Nixon, The Tennessean, 25 July 2025
  • Gran Sasso National Park has trails that weave through medieval villages, crumbling castles, and valleys where wild horses still roam.
    Travel + Leisure Editors, Travel + Leisure, 23 July 2025
Verb
  • What then starts is a roughly 30-day process where the body naturally decomposes and becomes nutrient-rich dirt.
    Alex Derosier, Twin Cities, 16 July 2025
  • An American man who vanished weeks ago in Turks and Caicos is still presumed missing, despite the fact that a decomposing male body was found in the island paradise 10 days ago.
    Peter D'Abrosca, FOXNews.com, 16 July 2025
Noun
  • While praised by real-life doctors for being one of the more accurate medical shows, Scrubs still made room for plenty of silly, lighthearted nonsense.
    James Mercadante, EW.com, 21 July 2025
  • In that case, this is a lot of nonsense over something that just won’t arise.
    Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 19 July 2025
Verb
  • This misinformation can also lead to insurance denials, distorted retirement planning, and worsened stigma.
    Jennifer Jay Palumbo, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025
  • Most of the Corn Belt and Midwest remain drought-free, except for northern Illinois where conditions worsened, the agency said.
    Joe Edwards, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Rot.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rot. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.

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