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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of decay
Lauren Leffer, Popular Science, 9 Apr. 2025
Then again, each generation’s Times Square is different from the next, though all are some amalgam of the tawdry and the brilliant, of decay and glitter.
—Frank Rich, Vulture, 8 Apr. 2025
Pete Hammond, Deadline, 6 Mar. 2025
Each probe is powered by three radioisotope thermoelectric generators (RTGs) fueled by decaying plutonium-238.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 5 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for decay
Noun
Water fluoridation is a public health intervention with the goal of preventing tooth decay and cavities.
—Lauren Leffer, Popular Science, 9 Apr. 2025
Then again, each generation’s Times Square is different from the next, though all are some amalgam of the tawdry and the brilliant, of decay and glitter.
—Frank Rich, Vulture, 8 Apr. 2025
Verb
All of this allows Lithgow and Rush to take this decaying senior rivalry to the heights, even veering into campiness as Lithgow stages a musical performance of a children’s song with Jenny as his partner.
—Pete Hammond, Deadline, 6 Mar. 2025
Each probe is powered by three radioisotope thermoelectric generators (RTGs) fueled by decaying plutonium-238.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 5 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for decay
Recent Examples of Synonyms for decay
Noun
-
Submersible visits over the years have shown an increase in its deterioration, with rust and microorganisms eating away at the ship's metal. Dives over more than a decade have shown the ship is falling apart.—
George Petras,
USA Today,
11 Apr. 2025
-
That could mean that rate cuts are pushed off until much later this year or even delayed until next year if that deterioration takes time to materialize.—
Colby Smith,
New York Times,
7 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Unless someone inside the federal government continues to ensure the liquid nitrogen doesn’t totally evaporate, the samples will eventually defrost and begin to rot, according to three staff researchers who work with such materials.—
Caroline Haskins,
Wired News,
17 Apr. 2025
-
He cannot be allowed to rot in an El Salvadorian jail.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Israel-Turkey relations deteriorated in 2010 after Israeli naval commandos intercepted a humanitarian flotilla attempting to breach the blockade on the Gaza Strip.—
Paul Iddon,
Forbes.com,
14 Apr. 2025
-
The ministry said that due to the sweeping tariffs imposed by the U.S., as well as the U.S.-China trade war, the growth outlook for both the U.S. and China will deteriorate.—
Lim Hui Jie,
CNBC,
14 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
First, there was a drip-drip-drip of crisis: as costs everywhere rose, city, state, and federal monies faded away once COVID-era bailout efforts came to an end.—
Helen Shaw,
New Yorker,
24 Apr. 2025
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He’s got a big smile and that Generation Z vibe, maybe a freshly cut fade every three to four weeks.—
Cory Mull,
Forbes.com,
23 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Clogged Drains On the other hand, a smelly drain that gets frequent use may have a clog or decomposing matter in the pipes.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
27 Apr. 2025
-
Over time, mulch materials break down and decompose.—
Maryal Miller Carter,
USA Today,
25 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
The pitching staff began to crumble beneath a lack of reliable depth.—
Jack Harris,
Los Angeles Times,
18 Apr. 2025
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Both gentlemen were trying to win their first Green Jacket. DeChambeau crumbled while McIlroy had a rollercoaster kind of day, prevailing to win The Masters and complete the career grand slam.—
Josh Hammer,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Agreeing to a pick swap with the Lynx weakened the value of the pick that the Sky traded away.—
Julia Poe,
Chicago Tribune,
14 Apr. 2025
-
One by one, the sectors defect, and, eventually, the leader may weaken and their government may fall.—
Julia Angwin,
New Yorker,
12 Apr. 2025
Verb
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The latest observations of the comet suggest the object, made of ancient rock, frozen gases and dust, has disintegrated on its way to a close approach of the sun, which was anticipated to occur on May 1.—
Ashley Strickland,
CNN Money,
19 Apr. 2025
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Mike White slickly disintegrates American family and friend relations — using flashy prurience but no analysis.—
Armond White,
National Review,
9 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Decay.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/decay. Accessed 30 Apr. 2025.
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