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
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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
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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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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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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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of decay
Matthew Kayser, USA Today, 18 July 2025
And wood decay fungi help create wooded habitats for birds, mammals and plant seedlings.
—Aishwarya Veerabahu, The Conversation, 16 July 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
These individuals may be dealing with tooth loss due to accidents, sports injuries, previously failed dental work, or advanced decay.
—Matthew Kayser, USA Today, 18 July 2025
And wood decay fungi help create wooded habitats for birds, mammals and plant seedlings.
—Aishwarya Veerabahu, The Conversation, 16 July 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
-
The art replaces a previous one that was located on Lake Street and removed in 2018 because of deterioration.—
Maya Wilkins,
Chicago Tribune,
9 July 2025
-
Perry confirmed the system’s deterioration at the council’s May 28 meeting.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
9 July 2025
Verb
-
This rotting food would inevitably emit a stench so overpowering that early European explorers, fur trappers, and missionaries were sickened by it.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
28 July 2025
-
In a 1965 article from the Marion Leader-Tribune, Hoosier farmers statewide reported that roughly a fourth of their tomato crop had rotted due to unfavorable weather and a failure to attract enough workers.—
Bradley Hohulin,
IndyStar,
26 July 2025
Verb
-
Another attempt is likely Friday, although weather conditions will deteriorate somewhat.—
Eric Berger,
ArsTechnica,
1 Aug. 2025
-
Longtime customers had speculated about Cub Foods’ decline in Midway since customer service began deteriorating early in the pandemic.—
Gloria Ngwa,
Twin Cities,
1 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Just after the clock struck midnight as Thursday night faded into Friday morning, the Texas House morphed into something of a graveyard.—
John C. Moritz,
Austin American Statesman,
30 July 2025
-
Some bulls on Wall Street see U.S. stocks turning in another year of huge gains as the worst fears of President Donald Trump’s trade war fade and the outlook on tariffs becomes more certain.—
Eleanor Pringle,
Fortune,
29 July 2025
Verb
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Deputies found Angela Byrd, 44, deceased and wrapped in plastic inside the couple’s home, where Byrd allegedly lived for weeks as the body decomposed, according to the sheriff.—
Stepheny Price,
FOXNews.com,
22 July 2025
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Here's how to prevent them in your home: Fruit flies feed on the liquid of decomposing food and any sticky substances.—
Emma Ashe,
Southern Living,
13 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
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But a crumbling park does far more to make international visitors feel unwelcome than a surcharge ever could.—
Tate Watkins,
Chicago Tribune,
23 July 2025
Verb
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Also in the Pacific, Tropical Depression Iona, over 1,400 miles west of Honolulu, continued weakening as it was expected to cross the International Date Line on Saturday, according to a hurricane center advisory.—
Eduardo Cuevas,
USA Today,
2 Aug. 2025
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Alcohol also weakens the valve that keeps stomach acid in place, leading to reflux and heartburn.—
Jordi Lippe-McGraw,
Forbes.com,
1 Aug. 2025
Verb
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After that group disintegrated, the pair linked up with the guitarist and drummer of another band, Mythology — Iommi and Bill Ward — in late 1968 and formed a sextet called the Polka Tulk Blues Band.—
Kory Grow,
Rolling Stone,
22 July 2025
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Substantial, but not so much so that the bun will disintegrate from rivers of juice.—
Li Goldstein,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
14 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Decay.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/decay. Accessed 5 Aug. 2025.
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