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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

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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 rotten The smell won’t be as sweet, maybe a little rotten. Jessica Farthing, Southern Living, 21 June 2025 In two particularly egregious examples involving baby products described to CNBC, Amazon sent customers used diapers and a chiller with someone else’s rotten breastmilk inside. Katie Tarasov, CNBC, 21 June 2025 On scorching days when winds blow across the California desert, the Salton Sea regularly gives off a stench of decay resembling rotten eggs. Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 10 June 2025 Not only was President Joe Biden in serious decline, Karine Jean-Pierre — celebrated in numerous fawning media profiles — was a rotten White House press secretary. Rich Lowry, National Review, 6 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for rotten
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rotten
Adjective
  • From the twins and their parents to evil fiancées and housekeepers, the characters have gained a cult following since their release, with some fans using them as inspiration for their outfits, summer mood boards, and interior design.
    Claire Hoppe Norgaard, Better Homes & Gardens, 15 July 2025
  • Historically, antisemitic conspiracy theories have revolved around the idea that a shadowy and evil Jewish elite secretly controls the world, and ritualistic child abuse is a common trope within them.
    Shane Croucher, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 July 2025
Adjective
  • Set a Timer For particularly difficult or unpleasant tasks, set a timer for a short duration—for example, five to 30 minutes—and commit to working on that task until the time is up.
    Aubrey Bailey, Verywell Health, 17 July 2025
  • There are telltale signs that there's too much moisture in your house, from condensation to unpleasant odors.
    Hallie Milstein, Southern Living, 17 July 2025
Adjective
  • Maybe the news reports and images trigger your feelings around a horrible experience at a camp, a personal loss of a child, or even just a loss of feeling safe and in control of the world, said Hurlbert.
    Madeline Holcombe, CNN Money, 11 July 2025
  • For many who were directly affected by the flood, these post-flood days have been like waking up from a horrible nightmare.
    Bea L. Hines, Miami Herald, 11 July 2025
Adjective
  • For certain situations, particularly if someone is in poor health, experts generally say claiming early makes sense.
    Lorie Konish, CNBC, 11 July 2025
  • But August is perhaps a poor month in which to rally the staff.
    John Updike, New Yorker, 11 July 2025
Adjective
  • The Mann Act, also known as the White-Slave Traffic Act of 1910, is a federal law that prohibits the interstate or foreign transportation of individuals for prostitution or other immoral activities.
    KiMi Robinson, USA Today, 3 July 2025
  • What Ukraine needs now is the time, tools, and space to prove to the Kremlin that an occupation is not just immoral but incompatible with Russia’s long-term security needs.
    Michael Carpenter, Foreign Affairs, 1 July 2025
Adjective
  • Amazon $140 Walmart WIRED’s previous top pick for best automatic latte machine is a great value even on a bad day.
    Scott Gilbertson, Wired News, 10 July 2025
  • Don’t want to suggest that time is slow or that time is bad which might make people dislike time and, by association, the watch. 00:00:34: Not good. 00:00:36: Re: when the actor raises the drink to his mouth.
    Seth Reiss, New Yorker, 10 July 2025
Adjective
  • Vegas bounced back from a terrible loss to the Fever with an 86-68 win over the Sun on Sunday.
    Kilty Cleary, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 July 2025
  • And because of that, it’s shielded us from the terrible things that happen downstream in the supply chain.
    Alexandra Harrell, Sourcing Journal, 8 July 2025
Adjective
  • Prospect Capital is now the cheapest BDC on the market, trading at just 46% of NAV.
    Brett Owens, Forbes.com, 20 July 2025
  • For years, the equation seemed simple: look for the cheapest fare, even if the trip was mediocre.
    Wilson Santiago Burgos, USA Today, 20 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Rotten.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rotten. Accessed 23 Jul. 2025.

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