rot 1 of 2

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as in decomposition
the process by which dead organic matter separates into simpler substances the rot begins shortly after the fish are killed

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

rot

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verb

Synonym Chooser

How is the word rot different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of rot are decay, decompose, putrefy, and spoil. While all these words mean "to undergo destructive dissolution," rot is a close synonym of decompose and often connotes foulness.

fruit was left to rot in warehouses

Where would decay be a reasonable alternative to rot?

The words decay and rot are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, decay implies a slow change from a state of soundness or perfection.

a decaying mansion

When can decompose be used instead of rot?

The words decompose and rot can be used in similar contexts, but decompose stresses a breaking down by chemical change and when applied to organic matter a corruption.

the strong odor of decomposing vegetation

When would putrefy be a good substitute for rot?

While in some cases nearly identical to rot, putrefy implies the rotting of animal matter and offensiveness to sight and smell.

corpses putrefying on the battlefield

In what contexts can spoil take the place of rot?

While the synonyms spoil and rot are close in meaning, spoil applies chiefly to the decomposition of foods.

keep the ham from spoiling

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 rot
Noun
As with stem cuttings, healthy leaves should be allowed to callous over for a few days before propagation to reduce the chances of rot. Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 Jan. 2025 Too much water, especially at the base of petunias, can cause rot problems. Tom MacCubbin, Orlando Sentinel, 8 Feb. 2025
Verb
Do not paint the wound with a pruning sealant; that can trap moisture in the wound and lead to rot. Beth Botts, Chicago Tribune, 22 Feb. 2025 Damaged sections can lead to rot and loss of the cuttings. Derek Carwood, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for rot
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rot
Noun
  • The property also grows its own herbs, greens, nuts, berries, and edible flowers.
    Bianca Salonga, Forbes, 6 Jan. 2025
  • Focus on whole foods like fruits, leafy green vegetables, fatty fish, nuts, and seeds.
    Lindsay Curtis, Health, 5 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Read: The chaos in higher ed is only getting started The situation could deteriorate if current doctoral students start jumping ship.
    Ian Bogost, The Atlantic, 27 Feb. 2025
  • So organs deteriorate while doctor after doctor rejects them.
    Brian M. Rosenthal, New York Times, 26 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • What doesn’t decay this winter can be mulched up next spring.
    Jeff Lowenfels, Anchorage Daily News, 22 Sep. 2022
  • In particular, many theorists have wondered how the great complexity of life can be reconciled with the laws of thermodynamics that suggest that all systems must inevitably decay to a state of greatest disorder.
    The Physics arXiv Blog, Discover Magazine, 29 Apr. 2022
Noun
  • People will be painting, planting trees, spreading mulch and cleaning up garbage starting at 9 a.m.
    Sal Pizarro, The Mercury News, 5 Mar. 2025
  • Other videos on social media show people picking up food scraps from the garbage.
    Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 4 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Today, despite its crumbling condition, the concrete trough still attracts young Bosnian athletes chasing Olympic dreams.
    Matthew Carey, Deadline, 1 Mar. 2025
  • But the vaccine's power to beat back measles outbreaks starts to crumble when vaccination rates drop low enough.
    Alyson Hurt, NPR, 28 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • Officers responding to reports of a dead woman discovered a decomposing body inside a shed at an apartment complex, Utah police and news outlets reported.
    Don Sweeney, Sacramento Bee, 24 Feb. 2025
  • Vultures not only consume dead animals that might otherwise remain out in the elements to decompose, according to the Wildlife Center of Virginia.
    Phaedra Trethan, USA TODAY, 21 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • First off, the bulk of the trailer is Shrek and company scrolling through fantasy TikTok courtesy of the magic mirror, which shows dancing Shrek, shirtless Shrek and other nonsense, apparently posted by Pinocchio.
    Paul Tassi, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2025
  • Spouted a bunch of nonsense conspiracy theories about who’s getting Social Security benefits.
    Brian Barrett, WIRED, 20 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • In the next episode, which followed the premiere, the feud continued to worsen.
    Liza Esquibias, People.com, 5 Mar. 2025
  • Elsewhere in the Keys, worsening water quality has been identified as one of the factors responsible for a decline in bonefish and tarpon, and the devastation of Florida's coral reefs.
    Greg Allen, NPR, 5 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Rot.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rot. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.

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