Synonym Study

• Decompose suggests the breaking up or separation of something into its component elements a decomposing chemical compound: it is also a somewhat euphemistic substitute for rot and putrefy
• Disintegrate implies the breaking up of something into parts or fragments so that the wholeness of the original is destroyed the sunken ship gradually disintegrated
• Molder suggest a slow, progressive, crumbling decay old buildings molder away
• Spoil is the common informal word for the decay of foods fish spoils quickly in summer
• Putrefy suggests the offensive, foul-smelling rotting of animal matter bodies putrefying in the fields
• Rot refers to the decay of organic, esp. vegetable, matter, caused by bacteria, fungi, etc. rotting apples
• Decay implies gradual, often natural, deterioration from a normal or sound condition his teeth have begun to decay