1
as in spoiled
having undergone organic breakdown
rotten, smelly meat that should have been thrown out
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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 terrible
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
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Recent Examples of rotten
Something smells rotten in Denmark — that is, Tallahassee.
—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 21 Mar. 2026
The exoplanet's atmosphere contains gases like water, sulfur dioxide and hydrogen sulfide -- which can smell like rotten eggs, especially when burned.
—Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 16 Mar. 2026
But it’s most often used in a more contemporary story as an ancestral home of an ancient, perhaps even rotten Establishment.
—Bethy Squires, Vulture, 12 Mar. 2026
False teeth had been used since Colonial years, with various attempts to replace rotten teeth that had been extracted to avoid illness.
—Scott Lafee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for rotten
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 21 Mar. 2026
The exoplanet's atmosphere contains gases like water, sulfur dioxide and hydrogen sulfide -- which can smell like rotten eggs, especially when burned.
—Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 16 Mar. 2026
But it’s most often used in a more contemporary story as an ancestral home of an ancient, perhaps even rotten Establishment.
—Bethy Squires, Vulture, 12 Mar. 2026
False teeth had been used since Colonial years, with various attempts to replace rotten teeth that had been extracted to avoid illness.
—Scott Lafee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for rotten
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rotten
Adjective
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Skenes was chased in the first inning earlier in the day by the Mets — as 76ers star Joel Embiid mocked the Pirates ' ace on social media — while Sánchez never pitched into a serious jam against Texas and spoiled manager Skip Schumaker's Texas debut.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
26 Mar. 2026
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For years, lawyers have alleged that inmates receive expired, undercooked or contaminated food, including spoiled meat and deteriorated dairy products.—
Michael Rios,
CNN Money,
26 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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There's very few probably as evil as Marsha Allen and Ashley Jones.—
Peter Van Sant,
CBS News,
5 Apr. 2026
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The earliest Greek philosophers focused their attention upon the origin and nature of the physical world; later philosophers have theorized about the nature of knowledge, truth, good and evil, love, friendship, and much more.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
2 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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That said, whole-virus vaccines can cause more unpleasant side effects, and in rare cases, weakened live pathogens can redevelop infectious capability.—
Meghan Bartels,
Scientific American,
27 Mar. 2026
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Like, what would make this already unpleasant environment even spicier?—
Mikey O'Connell,
HollywoodReporter,
27 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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This is a terrible blow against reform and the Dems should be ashamed.—
New York Daily News Editorial Board,
New York Daily News,
2 Apr. 2026
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Here are five novels that have been tied to terrible crimes.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
2 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Serious Medical and Emotional Neglect Turner said Kaiko arrived in poor health, suffering from multiple medical issues and signs of prolonged neglect.—
Alice Gibbs,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Mar. 2026
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The city of Plano scores restaurants on a 100-point system, with 100 considered a perfect score and 70 extremely poor.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
31 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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The farm buildings on the property—long verandas, shearing sheds, and concrete kennels—are old and decayed, remnants from long before the group showed up.—
Robert Rubsam,
The Atlantic,
26 Mar. 2026
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Vines growing on the trunk and branches can hide structural damage or potential hazards like a canker or decayed section of a branch or the trunk.—
Tim Johnson,
Chicago Tribune,
22 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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The Michigan State Police said Robert Wilson, 44, of Gaylord, was arrested on March 25 and lodged at the Otsego County Jail on one charge each of accosting a minor for immoral purposes and using a computer to commit a crime.—
Paula Wethington,
CBS News,
27 Mar. 2026
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When the status quo is fundamentally evil and dysfunctional, then Trimming is immoral.—
David Brooks,
The Atlantic,
25 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Bernadine appeared to be useless—or, worse, a potential double agent.—
David D. Kirkpatrick,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
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This is very bad for our health.—
Peter D'Oench,
CBS News,
30 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Rotten.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rotten. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
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