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Decay synonyms

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rot
The process of rotting or the condition of being rotten:
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  1. The process of rotting or the condition of being rotten:
  2. Any of various diseases; esp., a necrotic inflammatory disease of specific organs or tissues of domestic animals, as foot rot
  3. A rotting or being rotten; decay, decomposition, or putrefaction
decline
The last part
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  1. The last part
  2. A downward movement or fall, as in price.
  3. The process or result of declining, especially a deterioration of health:
decomposition
The act or result of decomposing; disintegration.
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  1. The act or result of decomposing; disintegration.
  2. The separation of a substance into simpler substances or basic elements. Decomposition can be brought about by exposure to heat, light, or chemical or biological activity.
  3. The process of breaking down organic material, such as dead plant or animal tissue, into smaller molecules that are available for use by the organisms of an ecosystem. Decomposition is carried on by bacteria, fungi, protists, worms, and certain other organisms.
collapse
An abrupt failure of function, strength, or health; a breakdown.
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  1. An abrupt failure of function, strength, or health; a breakdown.
  2. An abrupt loss of perceived value or of effect:
  3. The act of collapsing; a falling in or together; failure or breakdown, as in business or health
degeneracy
(Genetics) The presence in the genetic code of multiple codons for the same amino acid.
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  1. (Genetics) The presence in the genetic code of multiple codons for the same amino acid.
  2. The process of degenerating.
  3. A degenerate action
downfall
A cause of ruin:
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  1. A cause of ruin:
  2. The cause of such a fall
  3. A sudden fall, as from prosperity or power
decadence
Lavish or sensual self-indulgence
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  1. Lavish or sensual self-indulgence
  2. A literary movement especially of late 19th-century France and England characterized by refined aestheticism, artifice, and the quest for new sensations.
  3. A process, condition, or period of deterioration or decline, as in morals or art; decay.
depreciation
(Accounting) An allowance made for a loss in value of property.
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  1. (Accounting) An allowance made for a loss in value of property.
  2. (Accounting) The measurement of the decline in value of assets. Not to be confused with impairment, which is the measurement of the unplanned, extraordinary decline in value of assets.
  3. A decline in the value of an asset over time, due to its increasing obsolescence or the wear and tear due to its use; a deduction on an income tax return of part of the asset’s cost, transforming its declining value into a benefit for the taxpayer. A decline in the value of an asset over time, due to its increasing obsolescence or the wear and tear due to its use; a deduction on an income tax return of part of the asset’s cost, transforming its declining value into a benefit for the taxpayer.
decrease
The amount by which something decreases.
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  1. The amount by which something decreases.
  2. A decreasing; lessening; diminution
  3. The act or process of decreasing.
consumption
A consuming or being consumed
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  1. A consuming or being consumed
  2. The act or process of consuming.
  3. Pulmonary tuberculosis. No longer in scientific use.
corruption
Decay; rot.
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  1. Decay; rot.
  2. The act or process of corrupting.
  3. The act or fact of making, becoming, or being corrupt
spoilage
Something spoiled or the amount spoiled
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  1. Something spoiled or the amount spoiled
  2. The condition of being spoiled.
  3. The process of becoming spoiled.
rotting
Material that has rotted.
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  1. Material that has rotted.
  2. The process by which something rots.
retrogradation
Motion in a retrograde manner
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  1. Motion in a retrograde manner
  2. Decline, degradation
  3. (Chemistry) A reaction that takes place in gelatinized starch when the amylose and amylopectin chains realign themselves, largely responsible for bread becoming stale.
retrogression
A deterioration or decline to a previous state
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  1. A deterioration or decline to a previous state
  2. (Biology) A return to a less complex condition
  3. (Biol.) A return to a lower, less complex stage or state; degeneration
degeneration
(Electronics) Loss of or gain in power in an amplifier caused by unintentional negative feedback.
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  1. (Electronics) Loss of or gain in power in an amplifier caused by unintentional negative feedback.
  2. (Med.) Deterioration in structure or function of cells, tissues, or organs, as in disease or aging
  3. (Medicine) Gradual deterioration of specific tissues, cells, or organs with corresponding impairment or loss of function, caused by injury, disease, or aging.
disrepair
The condition of needing repairs; state of neglect; dilapidation
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  1. The condition of needing repairs; state of neglect; dilapidation
  2. The condition of being in need of repair:
  3. The state of being in poor condition, in need of repair.
weakening
(Uncountable, mathematics) A structural principle of mathematical logic that states that the hypotheses of any derived fact may be freely extended with additional assumptions
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  1. (Uncountable, mathematics) A structural principle of mathematical logic that states that the hypotheses of any derived fact may be freely extended with additional assumptions
  2. An instance or process of loss of strength
deterioration
The process of growing worse, or the state of having grown worse.
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  1. The process of growing worse, or the state of having grown worse.
breakdown
The act or process of failing to function or continue.
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  1. The act or process of failing to function or continue.
  2. (Electricity) The abrupt failure of an insulator or insulating medium to restrict the flow of current.
  3. A failure to work or function properly
failure
The act or fact of failing to pass a course, test, or assignment.
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  1. The act or fact of failing to pass a course, test, or assignment.
  2. A cessation of proper functioning or performance:
  3. The condition or fact of being insufficient or falling short:
ruination
Anything that ruins or causes ruin
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  1. Anything that ruins or causes ruin
  2. The act of ruining or the condition of being ruined.
  3. The cause of being ruined, destroyed or lost.
extinction
A progressive decrease in the strength of a conditioned response, often resulting in its elimination, because of withdrawal of a specific stimulus.
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  1. A progressive decrease in the strength of a conditioned response, often resulting in its elimination, because of withdrawal of a specific stimulus.
  2. (Astronomy) The dimming of celestial objects, usually measured in magnitudes, due to scattering and absorption of their light as it passes through interstellar dust clouds and the earth's atmosphere.
  3. The fact of being extinct or the process of becoming extinct:
dilapidation
A dilapidating or becoming dilapidated
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  1. A dilapidating or becoming dilapidated
  2. A dilapidated condition
dissolution
Extinction of life; death.
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  1. Extinction of life; death.
  2. The termination, cessation, or winding up of a legal entity such as a corporation or partnership; the consensual or judicially ordered undoing of a contract by placing the parties back into the positions they held before entering into it; the termination of a marriage. The termination, cessation, or winding up of a legal entity such as a corporation or partnership; the consensual or judicially ordered undoing of a contract by placing the parties back into the positions they held before entering into it; the termination of a marriage.
  3. Reduction to a liquid form; liquefaction.
disintegration
The act or process of disintegrating.
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  1. The act or process of disintegrating.
  2. The natural or induced transformation of an atomic nucleus from a more massive to a less massive configuration by the emission of particles or radiation.
  3. (Geology) A wearing away or falling to pieces of rocks or strata, produced by atmospheric action, frost, ice, etc.
decrepitude
The condition of being decrepit; feebleness or infirmity
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  1. The condition of being decrepit; feebleness or infirmity
  2. The quality or condition of being weakened, worn out, impaired, or broken down by old age, illness, or hard use.
ruin
Complete loss of means, solvency, position, etc.
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  1. Complete loss of means, solvency, position, etc.
  2. Any cause of a person's downfall, destruction, etc.
  3. Downfall, destruction, devastation, etc.
crumbling
Material that has crumbled away; crumbs.
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  1. Material that has crumbled away; crumbs.
waste
An unusable or unwanted substance or material, such as a waste product.
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  1. An unusable or unwanted substance or material, such as a waste product.
  2. Permanent harm done to real property by a person or persons in legal possession of that property (such as a tenant), such that the property’s value to its actual owner or future inheritor is diminished. The legal possession part is critical in distinguishing waste from trespass. Permanent harm done to real property by a person or persons in legal possession of that property (such as a tenant), such that the property’s value to its actual owner or future inheritor is diminished. The legal possession part is critical in distinguishing waste from trespass.
  3. The act or an instance of wasting or the condition of being wasted:
breakup
The discontinuance of a relationship, as a marriage or a friendship.
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  1. The discontinuance of a relationship, as a marriage or a friendship.
  2. A collapse
  3. A disintegration or decay
corrosion
The act or process of corroding.
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  1. The act or process of corroding.
  2. The condition produced by corroding.
  3. The breaking down or destruction of a material, especially a metal, through chemical reactions. The most common form of corrosion is rusting, which occurs when iron combines with oxygen and water.
impairment
(Accounting) A downward revaluation, a write-down.
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  1. (Accounting) A downward revaluation, a write-down.
  2. The result of being impaired; a deterioration or weakening; a disability or handicap; an inefficient part or factor.
discoloration
A discolored spot or mark
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  1. A discolored spot or mark
  2. The act of discoloring, or the state of being discolored; alteration of hue or appearance.
  3. The condition of being discolored.
reduction
Anything made or brought about by reducing, as a smaller copy, lowered price, sauce of concentrated liquid, etc.
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  1. Anything made or brought about by reducing, as a smaller copy, lowered price, sauce of concentrated liquid, etc.
  2. (Chemistry) A decrease in positive valence or an increase in negative valence by the gaining of electrons.
  3. The result of reducing:
wear-and-tear
Loss, damage, or depreciation resulting from ordinary use and exposure.
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  1. Loss, damage, or depreciation resulting from ordinary use and exposure.
failing
Weakness; defect
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  1. Weakness; defect
  2. A slight fault or defect; weakness
  3. A failure
disintegration
The act or process of disintegrating.
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  1. The act or process of disintegrating.
  2. The natural or induced transformation of an atomic nucleus from a more massive to a less massive configuration by the emission of particles or radiation.
  3. (Geology) A wearing away or falling to pieces of rocks or strata, produced by atmospheric action, frost, ice, etc.
putrefaction
An amount of putrefied matter or an odor produced by such matter.
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  1. An amount of putrefied matter or an odor produced by such matter.
  2. The decomposition of organic matter by bacteria, fungi, and oxidation, resulting in the formation of foul-smelling products; a rotting
corruption
The act or process of corrupting.
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  1. The act or process of corrupting.
  2. Decay; rot.
  3. The act or fact of making, becoming, or being corrupt
adulteration
An adulterating or being adulterated
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  1. An adulterating or being adulterated
  2. The action of adulterating, being mixed with extraneous material, illicit substitution of one substance for another.
  3. An adulterated substance, commodity, etc.
rottenness
The quality of being rotten.
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  1. The quality of being rotten.
breakup
The cracking and shifting of ice in rivers or harbors during the spring.
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  1. The cracking and shifting of ice in rivers or harbors during the spring.
  2. The discontinuance of a relationship, as a marriage or a friendship.
  3. A disintegration or decay
spoilage
The process of spoiling.
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  1. The process of spoiling.
  2. The condition of being spoiled.
  3. The process of becoming spoiled.
carrion
Anything very disgusting or repulsive
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  1. Anything very disgusting or repulsive
  2. Dead and decaying flesh.
  3. The decaying flesh of a dead body, esp. when regarded as food for scavenging animals
putrescence
Putrid matter
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  1. Putrid matter
  2. The condition of being putrid; decay
  3. A putrescent character or condition.
putridity
The state of being putrid.
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  1. The state of being putrid.
decrepitude
The condition of being decrepit; feebleness or infirmity
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  1. The condition of being decrepit; feebleness or infirmity
  2. The quality or condition of being weakened, worn out, impaired, or broken down by old age, illness, or hard use.
mold
The form or shape given by a mold
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  1. The form or shape given by a mold
  2. Any of various fungi that often form a fuzzy growth (called a mycelium ) on the surface of organic matter. Some molds cause food to spoil, but others are beneficial, such as those used to make certain cheeses and those from which antibiotics like penicillin are developed. The molds do not form a distinct phylogenetic grouping but belong to various phyla including the ascomycetes and the zygomycetes.
  3. A downy or furry growth on the surface of organic matter, caused by fungi, esp. in the presence of dampness or decay
rust
A plant disease caused by a rust fungus, characterized by reddish or brownish spots on leaves, stems, and other parts.
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  1. A plant disease caused by a rust fungus, characterized by reddish or brownish spots on leaves, stems, and other parts.
  2. Any of various powdery or scaly reddish-brown or reddish-yellow hydrated ferric oxides and hydroxides formed on iron and iron-containing materials by low-temperature oxidation in the presence of water.
  3. (Botany) Rust fungus.
corrosion
A substance, such as rust, formed by corroding.
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  1. A substance, such as rust, formed by corroding.
  2. The condition produced by corroding.
  3. The breaking down or destruction of a material, especially a metal, through chemical reactions. The most common form of corrosion is rusting, which occurs when iron combines with oxygen and water.
oxidation
The process by which electrons are removed from atoms or ions
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  1. The process by which electrons are removed from atoms or ions
  2. The chemical combination of a substance with oxygen.
  3. A chemical reaction in which an atom or ion loses electrons, thus undergoing an increase in valence. Removing an electron from an iron atom having a valence of +2 changes the valence to +3.
dry-rot
A similar fungous disease of plants, fruits, and vegetables
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  1. A similar fungous disease of plants, fruits, and vegetables
  2. A fungal disease that causes timber to become brittle and crumble into powder.
  3. A plant disease in which the plant tissue remains relatively dry while fungi invade and ultimately decay bulbs, fruits, or woody tissues.
black rot
Any of various bacterial or fungous diseases of plants producing discoloration and decay
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  1. Any of various bacterial or fungous diseases of plants producing discoloration and decay
  2. Any of several fungal or bacterial plant diseases resulting in dark brown to black discoloration and decay of affected plant parts.
caries
Instances of such decay, especially dental cavities:
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  1. Instances of such decay, especially dental cavities:
  2. Decay of a bone or tooth, especially dental caries.
  3. Decay of a bone or tooth. Dental plaque formed by bacteria initiates a progressive process of decay that, if left unchecked, leads to tooth loss.
spur
A sharp metal device attached as a weapon to the leg of a gamecock in a cockfight
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  1. A sharp metal device attached as a weapon to the leg of a gamecock in a cockfight
  2. A spinelike process, as on the wings or legs of certain birds
  3. Any of various pointed devices worn on the heel by the rider of a horse and used to urge the horse forward
atrophy
A wasting away, deterioration, or diminution:
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  1. A wasting away, deterioration, or diminution:
  2. A wasting or decrease in the size of an organ or tissue, as from death and reabsorption of cells, diminished proliferation of cells, pressure, lack of oxygen, malnutrition, decreased function, or hormonal changes.
  3. A wasting or decrease in size of a body organ, tissue, or part owing to disease, injury, or lack of use:
emaciation
The act of making very lean.
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  1. The act of making very lean.
  2. The state of being emaciated or reduced to excessive leanness; an excessively lean condition.
blight
The condition or causative agent, such as a bacterium, fungus, or virus, that results in blight.
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  1. The condition or causative agent, such as a bacterium, fungus, or virus, that results in blight.
  2. Any of numerous plant diseases that cause leaves, stems, fruits, and tissues to wither and die. Rust, mildew, and smut are blights.
  3. Any atmospheric or soil condition, parasite, or insect that kills, withers, or checks the growth of plants
marasmus
A condition of progressive emaciation, esp. in infants, as from malnutrition or an inability to assimilate food
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  1. A condition of progressive emaciation, esp. in infants, as from malnutrition or an inability to assimilate food
  2. A progressive wasting of the body, occurring chiefly in young children and associated with insufficient intake or malabsorption of food.
gangrene
Decay of tissue in a part of the body when the blood supply is obstructed by injury, disease, etc.
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  1. Decay of tissue in a part of the body when the blood supply is obstructed by injury, disease, etc.
  2. Death and decay of body tissue, often in a limb or digit, caused by insufficient blood supply to the affected area as a result of injury, infection, or disease, and commonly classified as wet (when bacterial infection is involved) or dry (when infection is not a significant factor).
mildew
Any fungus that attacks various plants or that produces such a coating or discoloration
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  1. Any fungus that attacks various plants or that produces such a coating or discoloration
  2. Any plant disease, as powdery mildew, caused by such fungus
  3. A thin, furry, usually whitish coating or discoloration, caused by a fungus, that forms on the surface of various plants, on organic matter, or on damp paper, cloth, bathroom tiles, etc.
deliquescence
The condition of being deliquescent
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  1. The condition of being deliquescent
  2. The action of deliquescing
spoil
To be damaged or injured in such a way as to become useless, valueless, etc.; specif., to decay, as food
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  1. To be damaged or injured in such a way as to become useless, valueless, etc.; specif., to decay, as food
  2. To overindulge so as to cause to demand or expect too much
  3. To become unfit for use or consumption, as from decay. Used especially of perishables, such as food.
blight
To suffer blight.
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  1. To suffer blight.
  2. To have a deleterious effect on; ruin.
  3. To cause (a plant, for example) to undergo blight.
go-to-seed
(Of a plant) To pass from flowering or ripening to the formation of seeds.
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  1. (Of a plant) To pass from flowering or ripening to the formation of seeds.
  2. (Figuratively, by extension) To deteriorate; to decline into an unkempt or debased condition.
fade
(Golf) To deliberately cause (a ball) to slice slightly
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  1. (Golf) To deliberately cause (a ball) to slice slightly
  2. To become less distinct; lose color, brilliance, etc.
  3. (Football) To move back from the line of scrimmage. Used of a quarterback.
rot
To fall or pass (off, away, etc.) by decaying
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  1. To fall or pass (off, away, etc.) by decaying
  2. To disappear or fall by decaying:
  3. To decay morally; become degenerate.
wither
To cause to shrivel or fade.
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  1. To cause to shrivel or fade.
  2. To lose force or vitality; become diminished; wane:
  3. To cause to quail or feel abashed, as by a scornful glance
molder
To crumble into dust; decay; waste away
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  1. To crumble into dust; decay; waste away
  2. To cause to crumble.
  3. To decay to dust, to disintegrate from rot.
crumble
To break into small fragments or pieces:
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  1. To break into small fragments or pieces:
  2. To fall to pieces; disintegrate
  3. To give way; collapse:
disintegrate
(Intransitive) To fall apart, break up into parts.
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  1. (Intransitive) To fall apart, break up into parts.
  2. To become reduced to components, fragments, or particles.
  3. To undergo or cause to undergo a nuclear transformation as a result of radioactive decay or a nuclear reaction
break down
(Ergative, figuratively) to divide into parts to give more details, to provide a more indepth analysis of
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  1. (Ergative, figuratively) to divide into parts to give more details, to provide a more indepth analysis of
  2. (Ergative, figuratively) to render or to become weak and ineffective
  3. (Ergative, figuratively) to render or to become unstable due to stress, to collapse physically or mentally
turn
To cause to take on a specified character, nature, identity, or appearance; change or transform. Used with to or into :
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  1. To cause to take on a specified character, nature, identity, or appearance; change or transform. Used with to or into :
  2. To cause to change intentions, actions, etc. [to turn someone from his purpose]
  3. To perform or accomplish by rotating or revolving:
curdle
To become spoiled or transformed into something bad:
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  1. To become spoiled or transformed into something bad:
  2. To cause a liquid to spoil and form clumps so that it no longer flows smoothly
  3. (Intransitive) To form curds so that it no longer flows smoothly; to cause to form such curds. (usually said of milk)
discolor
To become altered or spoiled in color.
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  1. To become altered or spoiled in color.
mold
To change in shape. Used especially of the adaptation of the fetal head to the pelvic canal.
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  1. To change in shape. Used especially of the adaptation of the fetal head to the pelvic canal.
  2. To form into a particular shape; give shape to:
  3. Any of various fungi that often form a fuzzy growth (called a mycelium ) on the surface of organic matter. Some molds cause food to spoil, but others are beneficial, such as those used to make certain cheeses and those from which antibiotics like penicillin are developed. The molds do not form a distinct phylogenetic grouping but belong to various phyla including the ascomycetes and the zygomycetes.
mildew
Any of various fungi or oomycete organisms that form a white or grayish coating on surfaces, such as plant leaves, cloth, or leather, especially under damp, warm conditions. Powdery mildews are important plant diseases usually caused by ascomycete fungi, while downy mildews, including a serious disease of grapevines, are caused by oomycetes.
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  1. Any of various fungi or oomycete organisms that form a white or grayish coating on surfaces, such as plant leaves, cloth, or leather, especially under damp, warm conditions. Powdery mildews are important plant diseases usually caused by ascomycete fungi, while downy mildews, including a serious disease of grapevines, are caused by oomycetes.
  2. To affect or become affected with mildew.
rust
To affect or be affected by a rust fungus
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  1. To affect or be affected by a rust fungus
  2. To become the color of rust.
  3. To become or cause to be coated with rust, as iron
corrupt
(--- Computers) To damage (data) in a file or on a disk.
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  1. (--- Computers) To damage (data) in a file or on a disk.
  2. To alter from original or proper form:
  3. To cause to become rotten; spoil:
corrode
To become corroded
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  1. To become corroded
  2. To eat into or wear away gradually, as by rusting or by the action of chemicals
  3. To work upon insidiously and cause to deteriorate
putrefy
To reach an advanced stage of decomposition.
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  1. To reach an advanced stage of decomposition.
  2. To decay or cause to decay and have a foul odor.
  3. To become filled with a pus-like or bile-like substance.
decompose
To separate or break down something into its components; to disintegrate or fragment
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  1. To separate or break down something into its components; to disintegrate or fragment
  2. To rot or cause to rot; decay; putrefy.
  3. To become broken down into components; disintegrate.
biodegrade
To decompose as a result of biological action, especially by microorganisms
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  1. To decompose as a result of biological action, especially by microorganisms
deliquesce
(Chemistry) To dissolve and become liquid by absorbing moisture from the air.
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  1. (Chemistry) To dissolve and become liquid by absorbing moisture from the air.
  2. (Botany) To become fluid or soft on maturing, as certain fungal structures.
  3. (Biol.) To melt away in the course of growth or decay: said of some of the parts of certain fungi
degenerate
To fall below a normal or desirable state, especially functionally or morally; deteriorate:
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  1. To fall below a normal or desirable state, especially functionally or morally; deteriorate:
  2. To lose former normal or higher qualities
  3. To decline or become debased morally, culturally, etc.
collapse
To break down suddenly; fail; give way
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  1. To break down suddenly; fail; give way
  2. To fall down or fall to pieces, as when supports or sides fail to hold; cave in; shrink together suddenly
  3. To cause to fold, break down, or fall down or inward.
shrivel
To become or make shrunken and wrinkled, often by drying:
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  1. To become or make shrunken and wrinkled, often by drying:
  2. To lose or cause to lose vitality or intensity:
atrophy
A wasting or decrease in the size of an organ or tissue, as from death and reabsorption of cells, diminished proliferation of cells, pressure, lack of oxygen, malnutrition, decreased function, or hormonal changes.
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  1. A wasting or decrease in the size of an organ or tissue, as from death and reabsorption of cells, diminished proliferation of cells, pressure, lack of oxygen, malnutrition, decreased function, or hormonal changes.
  2. To waste away or fail to develop
  3. To cause to wither or deteriorate; affect with atrophy.
suppurate
To form or discharge pus; fester
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  1. To form or discharge pus; fester
decline
To cause to slope or bend downward.
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  1. To cause to slope or bend downward.
  2. To draw to a gradual close:
  3. To bend, turn, or slope downward or aside
depreciate
To make seem less important; belittle; disparage
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  1. To make seem less important; belittle; disparage
  2. To write off an expenditure for (a tangible asset) by prorating over a certain period, usually the estimated useful life of the asset.
  3. To think or speak of as being of little worth; belittle.
deteriorate
To grow worse; degenerate:
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  1. To grow worse; degenerate:
  2. To make or become worse; lower in quality or value; depreciate
  3. To diminish or impair in quality, character, or value:
worsen
To make or become worse.
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  1. To make or become worse.
  2. (Intransitive) To become worse; to get worse; to deteriorate.
sink
To seem or become hollow or shrunken; recede, as the cheeks or eyes
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  1. To seem or become hollow or shrunken; recede, as the cheeks or eyes
  2. To appear to move downward, as the sun or moon in setting.
  3. To cause to submerge or go beneath the surface
fall off
(Intransitive) To diminish in size, value etc.
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  1. (Intransitive) To diminish in size, value etc.
  2. (Intransitive) To become detached or to drop from.
  3. (Nautical) To change the direction of the sail so as to point in a direction that is more down wind; to bring the bow leeward.
fall-away
To diminish in intenity
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  1. To diminish in intenity
  2. (Intransitive) To cease to support a person or cause.
  3. To get worse
fall-to-pieces
(Idiomatic) To feel emotionally devastated; to break down.
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  1. (Idiomatic) To feel emotionally devastated; to break down.
slump
To sink or settle, as into mud or slush.
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  1. To sink or settle, as into mud or slush.
  2. To fall or sink heavily; collapse:
  3. To fall, sink, or collapse, esp. suddenly or heavily
fade-away
To lose strength, become weaker; to wane
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1
  1. To lose strength, become weaker; to wane
erode
To form by wearing away gradually
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1
  1. To form by wearing away gradually
  2. To cause to deteriorate, decay, or vanish
  3. To become eroded
lessen
(Archaic) To belittle; minimize; disparage
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1
  1. (Archaic) To belittle; minimize; disparage
  2. (Archaic) To make little of; belittle.
  3. (Intransitive) To become less.
fail
To miss, neglect, or omit: used with an infinitive
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1
  1. To miss, neglect, or omit: used with an infinitive
  2. To give way or be made otherwise useless as a result of excessive strain:
  3. To break; not to succeed in reaching a standard or goal; to perform ineptly or faultily; to become bankrupt. To break; not to succeed in reaching a standard or goal; to perform ineptly or faultily; to become bankrupt.
sicken
To make or become sick, ill, disgusted, distressed, etc.
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1
  1. To make or become sick, ill, disgusted, distressed, etc.
weaken
To make or become weak or weaker.
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1
  1. To make or become weak or weaker.
  2. (Intransitive) To become weaker.
waste-away
(Idiomatic) To lose energy and become weak and feeble.
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1
  1. (Idiomatic) To lose energy and become weak and feeble.
thin-out
To make sparse.
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1
  1. To make sparse.
  2. (Intransitive) To become sparse.
go-to-the-dogs
(Idiomatic, informal) To decline or deteriorate.
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  1. (Idiomatic, informal) To decline or deteriorate.
hit-the-skids
(Intransitive, idiomatic) to fail; decline
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1
  1. (Intransitive, idiomatic) to fail; decline
break down
(Ergative) (to cause) to decay, to decompose
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  1. (Ergative) (to cause) to decay, to decompose
  2. (Ergative, figuratively) to divide into parts to give more details, to provide a more indepth analysis of
  3. (Ergative, figuratively) to render or to become unstable due to stress, to collapse physically or mentally
decompose
To rot or cause to rot; decay; putrefy.
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  1. To rot or cause to rot; decay; putrefy.
  2. To separate or break down something into its components; to disintegrate or fragment
  3. To become broken down into components; disintegrate.
deteriorate
To grow worse; degenerate:
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  1. To grow worse; degenerate:
  2. To make or become worse; lower in quality or value; depreciate
  3. To diminish or impair in quality, character, or value:
disintegrate
(Intransitive) To fall apart, break up into parts.
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  1. (Intransitive) To fall apart, break up into parts.
  2. To undergo or cause to undergo a nuclear transformation as a result of radioactive decay or a nuclear reaction
  3. To become reduced to components, fragments, or particles.
molder
To cause to crumble.
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  1. To cause to crumble.
  2. To crumble into dust; decay; waste away
  3. To decay to dust, to disintegrate from rot.
putrefy
To decay or cause to decay and have a foul odor.
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  1. To decay or cause to decay and have a foul odor.
  2. To reach an advanced stage of decomposition.
  3. To become filled with a pus-like or bile-like substance.
rot
To become unhealthy, sickly, etc.
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  1. To become unhealthy, sickly, etc.
  2. To fall or pass (off, away, etc.) by decaying
  3. To disappear or fall by decaying:
spoil
To impair or destroy the value or quality of; ruin:
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  1. To impair or destroy the value or quality of; ruin:
  2. To be damaged or injured in such a way as to become useless, valueless, etc.; specif., to decay, as food
  3. To become unfit for use or consumption, as from decay. Used especially of perishables, such as food.
taint
To subject to decay or putrefaction:
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  1. To subject to decay or putrefaction:
  2. To affect or associate with something undesirable or reprehensible:
  3. To become tainted
turn
To change the position of so that the underside becomes the upper side:
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  1. To change the position of so that the underside becomes the upper side:
  2. To get by buying and selling:
  3. To divert or deflect:
breakdown
The act or process of failing to function or continue.
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  1. The act or process of failing to function or continue.
  2. (Electricity) The abrupt failure of an insulator or insulating medium to restrict the flow of current.
  3. Decomposition
decomposition
The separation of a substance into simpler substances or basic elements. Decomposition can be brought about by exposure to heat, light, or chemical or biological activity.
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  1. The separation of a substance into simpler substances or basic elements. Decomposition can be brought about by exposure to heat, light, or chemical or biological activity.
  2. (--- Chemistry) Separation into constituents by chemical reaction.
  3. A biological process through which organic material is reduced to e.g. compost
deterioration
The process of growing worse, or the state of having grown worse.
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  1. The process of growing worse, or the state of having grown worse.
disintegration
The act or process of disintegrating.
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  1. The act or process of disintegrating.
  2. The natural or induced transformation of an atomic nucleus from a more massive to a less massive configuration by the emission of particles or radiation.
  3. (Geology) A wearing away or falling to pieces of rocks or strata, produced by atmospheric action, frost, ice, etc.
putrefaction
An amount of putrefied matter or an odor produced by such matter.
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  1. An amount of putrefied matter or an odor produced by such matter.
  2. The decomposition of organic matter by bacteria, fungi, and oxidation, resulting in the formation of foul-smelling products; a rotting
putrescence
Putrid matter
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  1. Putrid matter
  2. A putrescent character or condition.
  3. The condition of being putrid; decay
rot
The process of rotting or the condition of being rotten:
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  1. The process of rotting or the condition of being rotten:
  2. Any of various diseases; esp., a necrotic inflammatory disease of specific organs or tissues of domestic animals, as foot rot
  3. A rotting or being rotten; decay, decomposition, or putrefaction
rottenness
The quality of being rotten.
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  1. The quality of being rotten.
spoilage
The process of spoiling.
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  1. The process of spoiling.
  2. The condition of being spoiled.
  3. The process of becoming spoiled.

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
Find another word for decay. In this page you can discover 183 synonyms, antonyms, idiomatic expressions, and related words for decay, like: rot, decline, decomposition, collapse, degeneracy, downfall, decadence, depreciation, decrease, consumption and corruption.

Sentence Examples

  • They reek of decay and death.

  • Some species rapidly change colour, and cause the decay of any others with which they come in contact.

  • With the decay of her mining industries, Ouro Preto had become merely the political centre of the state.

  • The rise of Neapolis (Shechem) in the neighbourhood caused the decay of Sebaste.

  • After the overthrow of the dynasty of the Achaemenides a period of decay seems to have set in.

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Words that mention decay in the Dictionary

Words near decay in the Thesaurus