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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in terrible
extremely unsatisfactory
rotten housing conditions that no one should be forced to tolerate
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5
as in poor
of low quality
I can't do anything with these rotten tools
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of rotten
The exorbitant film captures the rotten state of our entertainment industry.
—
Will Gottsegen, The Atlantic, 31 Jan. 2026
Fruit flies will still find rotten food thrown in the trash and drink cans that still contain liquid, so keep a lid on the bins for extra protection.
—Emma Ashe, Southern Living, 30 Jan. 2026
Thick ice is rotten after rain.
—Katie Wiseman, IndyStar, 27 Jan. 2026
Most are caring people with relatable journeys that led them to conclude that the foundation upon which American health, medicine, and science rest is rotten.
—Tom W. Johnson, STAT, 26 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for rotten
Will Gottsegen, The Atlantic, 31 Jan. 2026
Fruit flies will still find rotten food thrown in the trash and drink cans that still contain liquid, so keep a lid on the bins for extra protection.
—Emma Ashe, Southern Living, 30 Jan. 2026
Thick ice is rotten after rain.
—Katie Wiseman, IndyStar, 27 Jan. 2026
Most are caring people with relatable journeys that led them to conclude that the foundation upon which American health, medicine, and science rest is rotten.
—Tom W. Johnson, STAT, 26 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for rotten
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rotten
Adjective
-
Bacteria can grow on spills, spoiled food, and hidden crumbs.—
Kendall Bettle,
Better Homes & Gardens,
5 Feb. 2026
-
Why Gasket Maintenance Is Essential A dirty gasket leads to deterioration of the seal, which can cause temperature fluctuations, spoiled food, and bacterial growth.—
Louise Parks,
Martha Stewart,
31 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Athena does a sapphire evil-eye look that is super-duper polished.—
Jason P. Frank,
Vulture,
7 Feb. 2026
-
Even all of us people who hated the evil empire of Brady-Bill Belichick can’t help but secretly respect this version of the Patriots.—
Mike Bianchi,
The Orlando Sentinel,
7 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Over time, this buildup can affect the dishwasher's performance, lead to unpleasant odors, and leave dishes less clean.—
Daley Quinn,
Southern Living,
8 Feb. 2026
-
The water in Griffin was deemed safe to use the same day as the spill, later in the evening, but some residents believed the water still had an unpleasant smell.—
Irene Wright,
USA Today,
6 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
America just passed the 50th anniversary of one of its truly terrible days — one that future historians can track as the beginning of the end of our democracy.—
Orlando Sentinel,
The Orlando Sentinel,
5 Feb. 2026
-
Busch was terrible defensively at third.—
Assistant Sports Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Semmann said stores raise prices primarily in response to supply chain issues, such as poor harvests, changes to international trade policy or increasing logistical costs.—
Francesca Pica,
jsonline.com,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Boating conditions are poor across offshore waters south of Cape Canaveral, while small craft need to exercise caution near the inlets.—
Garfield Hylton,
The Orlando Sentinel,
10 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Some are sandy; others are rich in organic matter formed from centuries of decayed plants.—
Dinesh Phuyal,
The Conversation,
26 Jan. 2026
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Of the 20 dead cats, eight were too decayed for a necropsy exam, which determines the cause of death of a dead animal and any associated diseases or injuries.—
Marina Johnson,
Louisville Courier Journal,
7 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
The long-term damage that an unqualified, incompetent, compromised or immoral — but superpowered — mayor can inflict on the city is too great.—
Steven Falk,
Mercury News,
6 Feb. 2026
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Tourism dollars flowed in, even if the prettified Southern history being sold ignored the immoral plague that built its riches in the first place.—
Robert Abele,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
In 2006, ahead of the Turin Olympics, Vonn took a bad fall during downhill training and went to the hospital.—
ANDREW DAMPF,
Arkansas Online,
9 Feb. 2026
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Attending a bad Super Bowl is the Super Bowl of communal experiences.—
Hannah Keyser,
CNN Money,
9 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Rotten.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rotten. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
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