rot 1 of 2

noun

Definition of rotnext
1
as in garbage
language, behavior, or ideas that are absurd and contrary to good sense I won't stand here and listen to such rot

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2
as in decomposition
the process by which dead organic matter separates into simpler substances the rot begins shortly after the fish are killed

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rot

2 of 2

verb

ˈrät How to pronounce rot (audio)
1
as in to deteriorate
to become worse or of less value the house slowly fell into disrepair and rotted

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2
as in to decay
to go through decomposition rotting vegetation on the bank of the river

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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 atmosphere persists even when the characters are off the air, as if to suggest that the seeping rot of the show has metastasized into every moment of their lives. — Justin Chang, New Yorker, 25 Sep. 2026 The onset of rot is creeping closer and the meat may even begin to stink. — Jack Hennessy, Outdoor Life, 23 Sep. 2026
Verb
In recent years, many grape growers have left fruit to rot on vines. — Lizzie Kane, Sacbee.com, 19 Oct. 2026 Additionally, to prevent overwatering, which can cause root systems to rot, wait until the soil is dry about 1 to 2 inches deep before watering. — Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 16 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for rot
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rot
  1. garbage
  2. decomposition
  3. deteriorate
  4. decay
  5. nuts
  6. crumble
  7. decompose
  8. nonsense
Noun
  • What makes a successful scooper Professional scoopers typically use basic tools like a rake, a dustpan lined with a garbage bag and a garden sprayer to sanitize tools in between jobs.
    — Kamaron McNair, CNBC, 21 Oct. 2026
  • Pan Yan The substance is integrated into a transparent, medium-sized insert designed to fit onto a garbage bin lid.
    — Maryna Holovnova, New Atlas, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of garbage
Noun
  • Investigators found no identification at the scene, and extreme decomposition prevented them from obtaining DNA from the bodies.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 16 Oct. 2026
  • If the soils were not saturated, microbial decomposition would happen too quickly, breaking down organic matter before the thick layers of peat, the signature of boglands, had a chance to form.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of decomposition
Verb
  • Netanyahu faces an international arrest warrant, experts have accused Israel of genocide, and Israel’s image has further deteriorated with a spike in settler violence in the occupied West Bank.
    — Josef Federman, Los Angeles Times, 26 Oct. 2026
  • Their return on investment becomes clear when conditions deteriorate and the organization is still able to operate, invest and make decisions on its own terms.
    — Erik Clarke, Forbes.com, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of deteriorate
Verb
  • In large computations, many qubits must wait between operations, during which their quantum states can decay.
    — Tejasri Gururaj, Interesting Engineering, 25 Oct. 2026
  • According to the Connecticut Department of Transportation, dead, diseased and decaying trees will be removed during the evening and overnights hours to ensure public safety.
    — Sean Krofssik, Hartford Courant, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of decay
Noun
  • Healthy ingredients like nuts and fresh fruit are often just a garnish or topping.
    — Anahad O’Connor, Washington Post, 22 Oct. 2026
  • My sweet potato casserole recipe swaps the nuts for crispy, sweet-and-salty cornflakes—the marshmallows can stay.
    — Zoe Denenberg, Bon Appetit Magazine, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of nuts
Verb
  • As ocean levels rise, waves crash farther inland and the coast continues to crumble, Southern California is on track to lose 30 to 70% of its beaches over the next several decades.
    — Blanca Begert, Los Angeles Times, 20 Oct. 2026
  • Jarman pointed out, rightly, that in the 1630s, the walls wouldn’t have been crumbling at all.
    — Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of crumble
Verb
  • The coins were originally buried together in a container made of organic material that has since decomposed, archaeologists believe.
    — Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 21 Oct. 2026
  • Many of the children's bodies were severely decomposed, with only 26 able to be identified, and investigations into the other deaths are ongoing.
    — Jefferson Kahinju Reuters, Arkansas Online, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of decompose
Noun
  • Halo 4, 5, and Infinite used sci-fi nonsense to transform him into this larger-than-life figure, rendering the rest of the UNSC largely powerless in the process.
    — Fran Ruiz, Space.com, 23 Oct. 2026
  • These accusations are utter nonsense, concocted from distortions, half-truths and lies.
    — Kathleen Parker, Washington Post, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of nonsense

Browse Nearby Words

rosy
rot
rotaries
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Cite this Entry

“Rot.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rot. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on rot

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about rot

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