rot 1 of 2

1
2
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
The science-fiction novelist Bruce Sterling recently encountered Italian-brain-rot figurines for sale on the island of Mallorca in blind boxes just like Labubus. Kyle Chayka, New Yorker, 20 Aug. 2025 There’s certainly a deep rot in their friendship, though that doesn’t preclude the idea that the friendship also has really sincere, even wonderful components. Stuart Miller, Oc Register, 18 Aug. 2025
Verb
The wooden floor has rotted through, and only a few flimsy stairs remain attached to telephone poles, which once propped up the tower. Sophie Hartley, IndyStar, 3 Sep. 2025 But Back to Reality shows that the long shadow cast by Todd and Julie's imprisonment allowed for a dangerous kind of rot to fester back home. Ryan Coleman September 2, EW.com, 2 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for rot
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rot
Noun
  • Rather, the Mediterranean diet simply underscores that the majority of your plate consists of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, seeds and legumes, Goldstein says.
    Caroline C. Boyle, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2025
  • Don’t want nuts but still want the crunch?
    Melinda Salchert, Southern Living, 10 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Citing a report from the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner, the outlet said that the victim was a female in a severe state of decomposition.
    Marni Rose McFall, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Sep. 2025
  • Authorities located a body in the front trunk of the Tesla that was in a state of decomposition, LAPD sources said.
    Alex Stone, ABC News, 10 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • In San Francisco, a development called Hunters View built in 1956 to provide temporary workforce housing was still inhabited and badly deteriorating by the early 2000s.
    Jeffrey Steele, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
  • But the relations have deteriorated significantly since the start of the war in Gaza, with Israeli officials voicing growing anger at Qatar, accusing the government of harboring Hamas and not putting enough pressure on it to agree to a ceasefire.
    Oren Liebermann, CNN Money, 11 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Researchers from each, plus the United States, were attempting to decipher the challenges presented by opposing either a regime or a decaying democracy.
    Ron Scherf, Time, 5 Sep. 2025
  • Their decaying carcasses led to the rapid deterioration of water quality and an explosion of harmful bacteria, researchers said.
    Lauren Liebhaber September 5, Miami Herald, 5 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • People were calling it tacky, brave, MFA garbage, heart wrenching.
    Sarah Adler September 8, Literary Hub, 8 Sep. 2025
  • The character of Robbie, a garbage collector- turned-criminal, came to you through a suggestion from someone.
    Antonia Blyth, Deadline, 5 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • That this team won’t crumble in the face of adversity.
    Zack Rosenblatt, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2025
  • Decades of underinvestment have left the country with congested highways, crumbling bridges, crowded airports — and a disjointed passenger rail network that is underfunded and unreliable.
    Ben Jones, CNN Money, 8 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • O’Steen bludgeoned Marissa Grimes, dug a shallow grave for her under his house in west Fort Worth and for 10 days lived above where police later sawed open the floor to expose Grimes’ decomposing 135-pound body, prosecutors have argued that the evidence shows.
    Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 Sep. 2025
  • Two people discovered badly decomposed human remains while doing a walkthrough of a home for sale in Ohio, police told news outlets.
    Mitchell Willetts, Kansas City Star, 11 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • This smacks of fake tough guy nonsense.
    Troy Renck, Denver Post, 6 Sep. 2025
  • And then a lot of nonsense, which comes with the script.
    Jim Harrington, Mercury News, 5 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Rot.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rot. Accessed 14 Sep. 2025.

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