as in to disintegrate
to go through decomposition
detectives needed to know how long it would take a corpse to decompose to that advanced state
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in decay
the process by which dead organic matter separates into simpler substances
the unmistakable smell of decomposition led us to some fruit that had fallen behind the refrigerator
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of decompose
Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 23 June 2025
Over time, as the powder solidified and the corpses decomposed, mass graves in the form of random white hills became a fixture of this landscape.
—Amir Ahmadi Arian, The Dial, 10 June 2025
And since no one yet knows how a body decomposes in true microgravity (or, for that matter, on the moon), no one can really say whether the HRCU would preserve tissue well enough for a forensic autopsy.
—Peter Cummings, Scientific American, 3 June 2025
Read Next National Son arrested two decades after dad found decomposing in NH home, officials say
June 18, 2025 12:40 PM
Read Next
National
75-year-old found dead during welfare check, Delaware troopers say.
—Jennifer Rodriguez, Sacbee.com, 19 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for decompose
Verb
Cardboard typically takes between two and six months to fully decompose, depending on the temperature and moisture level.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 23 June 2025
Over time, as the powder solidified and the corpses decomposed, mass graves in the form of random white hills became a fixture of this landscape.
—Amir Ahmadi Arian, The Dial, 10 June 2025
And since no one yet knows how a body decomposes in true microgravity (or, for that matter, on the moon), no one can really say whether the HRCU would preserve tissue well enough for a forensic autopsy.
—Peter Cummings, Scientific American, 3 June 2025
Read Next National Son arrested two decades after dad found decomposing in NH home, officials say
June 18, 2025 12:40 PM
Read Next
National
75-year-old found dead during welfare check, Delaware troopers say.
—Jennifer Rodriguez, Sacbee.com, 19 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for decompose
Recent Examples of Synonyms for decompose
Verb
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Organic materials like wood, leather, and fabric — which often remain remarkably preserved in the cold, low-oxygen depths — can begin to warp, crumble or disintegrate as dormant bacteria and fungi reactivate.—
Jordan Runtagh,
People.com,
6 July 2025
-
Researchers think the deceased was buried in a wooden coffin that has long since disintegrated.—
Sonja Anderson,
Smithsonian Magazine,
3 July 2025
Noun
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It was originally added to water systems to combat tooth decay but more recently has been scrutinized by critics citing studies that elevated exposure could reduce IQ levels in children.—
Jasmine Laws,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 July 2025
-
In a world where sugar consumption continues to rise, dentists are struggling to keep up with demand; by some estimates, nearly 3.5 billion people worldwide are now struggling with oral diseases and tooth decay.—
David Prosser,
Forbes.com,
9 July 2025
Verb
-
Food waste after a party or outdoor snacking session can begin to rot and smell, which won’t be pleasant for you or your neighbors.—
Hallie Milstein,
Southern Living,
14 July 2025
-
This vertical trellis reduces the likelihood of rotting, keeps produce away from certain garden pests, and can even increase sun exposure.—
Stephanie Osmanski,
Better Homes & Gardens,
9 July 2025
Noun
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Organic farming is very important in that aspect — the way that the grapes are handled from the growing to the harvest to the fermentation.—
Samantha Conti,
Footwear News,
10 July 2025
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But at Borgo Santo Pietro, fermentation is a guiding principle for executive chef Ariel Hagen.—
Nicole Kliest,
Vogue,
9 July 2025
Noun
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Fifty-three industrial plants are invited to squat there, in the center of the city, and the smell of decomposition and putrefaction and acidification, a stew of sulfur, chlorine, lye, and ammonia, suffuses the air.—
Caroline Fraser
June 10,
Literary Hub,
10 June 2025
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When the surgeons finally opened her with a piece of broken glass, the putrefaction was as warm as life.—
Nell Zink,
Harper's Magazine,
28 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Decompose.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/decompose. Accessed 20 Jul. 2025.
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