1
as in spoiled
having undergone organic breakdown
rotten, smelly meat that should have been thrown out
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in evil
not conforming to a high moral standard; morally unacceptable
played a rotten trick and then lied about it
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in unpleasant
not giving pleasure to the mind or senses
had a rotten time while on vacation
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in horrible
extremely unsatisfactory
rotten housing conditions that no one should be forced to tolerate
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in poor
of low quality
I can't do anything with these rotten tools
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 rotten
Gunsmoke that smells of rotten eggs wafts over the field.
—
Melanie Stetson Freeman, Christian Science Monitor, 17 Apr. 2025
These can cause your poop to smell like rotten eggs.12 Food intolerances, like lactose intolerance or gluten sensitivity can also cause smelly poop.
—Kirstyn Hill, Pharmd, Mph, Health, 14 Apr. 2025
Then, the rotten cherry on top: my lightweight pack, overburdened with water and ill-equipped for the task, created a patch of chafe that eventually bloomed into an open wound.
—Shawnté Salabert, Outside Online, 28 Mar. 2025
What rotten fortune all around, the best college player in the country – and the coolest – being ousted not by an upset but by injury.
—Mirjam Swanson, Oc Register, 26 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rotten
Melanie Stetson Freeman, Christian Science Monitor, 17 Apr. 2025
These can cause your poop to smell like rotten eggs.12 Food intolerances, like lactose intolerance or gluten sensitivity can also cause smelly poop.
—Kirstyn Hill, Pharmd, Mph, Health, 14 Apr. 2025
Then, the rotten cherry on top: my lightweight pack, overburdened with water and ill-equipped for the task, created a patch of chafe that eventually bloomed into an open wound.
—Shawnté Salabert, Outside Online, 28 Mar. 2025
What rotten fortune all around, the best college player in the country – and the coolest – being ousted not by an upset but by injury.
—Mirjam Swanson, Oc Register, 26 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rotten
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rotten
Adjective
-
Rakshasa’s evil beast fits thematically with the park’s nearby 1976 Demon looping coaster.—
Brady MacDonald,
Oc Register,
28 May 2025
-
Evans gives an oversized comedic performance as the church’s charming but evil minister.—
Zack Sharf,
Variety,
27 May 2025
Adjective
-
Castillo’s short novel is a giddy character study of an unpleasant young male type.—
Jasmine Vojdani,
Vulture,
2 June 2025
-
To neutralize unpleasant smells, add a few pots of aromatic herbs, like rosemary and lavender.—
The Washington Post,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
31 May 2025
Adjective
-
Even with the horrible start the Red Sox still nearly came all the way back, twice drawing to within one run, but the club couldn’t get over the hump.—
Mac Cerullo,
Boston Herald,
3 June 2025
-
We were made aware of this horrible activity by Priscilla Olivarez from ILRC, at our annual conference Convening 2025, held in San Antonio.—
Billal Rahman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
2 June 2025
Adjective
-
Programs like food aid for poor children, health care for seniors, and subsidies for day-to-day needs are in the balance.—
Philip Elliott,
Time,
5 June 2025
-
This lack of preparation yields poor communication that worsens difficult situations and burns bridges between companies and fired employees.—
Nicole Tidei,
Forbes.com,
5 June 2025
Adjective
-
Kudos to Bruce Springsteen for practicing his First Amendment rights to rail against the corrupt policies and immoral actions of the Trump administration.—
Reader Commentary,
Baltimore Sun,
30 May 2025
-
Independent jurors can blunt the force of immoral laws and arbitrary prosecutions by refusing to subject their neighbors to unjust laws or overtly cruel punishment.—
Mike Fox,
Chicago Tribune,
14 May 2025
Adjective
-
That cartilage injury was worse than expected, and Jiménez could miss all or most of this season rehabbing.—
David O'Brien,
New York Times,
5 June 2025
-
Athletics manager Mark Kotsay has continued to search for answers to cure what ails the Athletics during their historically bad run of losing in West Sacramento.—
Chris Biderman,
Sacbee.com,
4 June 2025
Adjective
-
Kids these days have attention spans crushed under the terrible weight of TikTok and Instgram.—
Erik Kain,
Forbes.com,
3 June 2025
-
The veto was a terrible blow to the cause of reparations, which has been gaining momentum across the country despite the Trump administration, which seems hell-bent on sending America backwards.—
Robert Turner,
Baltimore Sun,
2 June 2025
Adjective
-
One possible option is a center or third lane with curbs that would require less land to be acquired and be cheaper.—
Michelle Mullins,
Chicago Tribune,
2 June 2025
-
Matthew Whelan, executive director of the Asbury Park Chamber of Commerce, suggests visiting on a weekday when possible; parking will be easier to find, and beach badges are cheaper ($7/day/person, instead of $10).—
Rachel Chang,
AFAR Media,
2 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Rotten.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rotten. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share