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
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Recent Examples of decompose
The earthy scent of decomposing leaves and soil contributes to the smell.
—
Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 4 Jan. 2026
To test if maggots could spike those isotope levels, the researchers analyzed fly larvae feeding on decomposing human muscle tissue.
—Jay Kakade
december 31, New Atlas, 31 Dec. 2025
The decomposing bugs enriched the soil.
—Chris McKeown, Cincinnati Enquirer, 27 Dec. 2025
The child's body was decomposed, per the Sheriff's Office.
—Charlotte Phillipp, PEOPLE, 26 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for decompose
Recent Examples of Synonyms for decompose
Verb
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By removing microscopic defects and smoothing the surface, this coating ensures efficient energy flow while preventing the cell from disintegrating under intense heat.—
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The very flying machine that now seemed destined to disintegrate in midair with us and the little girl.—
Verb
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The decaying Avenger is one of a dozen wrecks in three very different underwater environments — the western Pacific Ocean off Saipan, Lake Huron, shared by Michigan and Ontario, and the Italian Mediterranean — investigated as part of the ambitious pilot project involving eDNA.—
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The place is decaying and strict, but Luna refuses to give in to its rules.—
Verb
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Rourke alleged that the floors were rotted, there was no running water in a couple of places there should have been and the place was infested with rodents.—
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Their roots need air, and soil can be too dense and lead to rotting roots.—
Cite this Entry
“Decompose.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/decompose. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
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