as in decomposed
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
as in rotting
to go through decomposition
detectives needed to know how long it would take a corpse to decompose to that advanced state
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 decomposing
David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 8 Jan. 2026
The earthy scent of decomposing leaves and soil contributes to the smell.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 4 Jan. 2026
Surprisingly, Melanie found that the maggots feeding on decomposing meat have the highest nitrogen-15, almost four times higher than a lion.
—Jay Kakade
december 31, New Atlas, 31 Dec. 2025
The decomposing bugs enriched the soil.
—Chris McKeown, Cincinnati Enquirer, 27 Dec. 2025
Investigators uncovered more than 190 decomposing bodies last year inside the Penrose facility, many stored in unhygienic conditions.
—Kelly Werthmann, CBS News, 23 Dec. 2025
By March 2020, the team found a group of seven tucked beneath decomposing logs and leaf litter.
—Laura Sharman, CNN Money, 18 Dec. 2025
The eggs are warmed by the slowly decomposing pile.
—Elizabeth Preston, Scientific American, 16 Dec. 2025
Some chemical disasters result from power outages, for example at the Arkema Chemical Plant in Crosby, Texas, where more than three feet of flood waters damaged the refrigeration systems keeping toxic chemicals from decomposing and igniting.
—Cynthia Palmer, Time, 9 Dec. 2025
Verb
For nearly two weeks before embarking on the cross-country road trip, the teenager lived with his parents’ decomposing bodies.
—Recent Examples of Synonyms for decomposing
Adjective
-
Inside the container were the badly decomposed remains of an infant.—
-
Santa Barbara County Sheriff-Coroner Bill Brown said Melodee's decomposed body was found in a rural area outside of Cainville in Wayne County, discovered by a man and a woman taking photos.—
Verb
-
The research team revealed that plastination is a new method for managing moisture in wood by replacing water in the cellular structure with a silicone compound to create a durable, hydrophobic barrier that resists swelling, rotting, and cracking.—
-
The rotting corpse flower’s putrid stench cast a spell Thursday across Roseville High School’s campus.—
Verb
-
In essence, this would mean that alpha particles (helium nuclei) released by decaying uranium (or some other fissile material) would be focused through engine nozzles to generate thrust.—
-
By the time of his death in 2013, Venezuela’s economy was already decaying, its institutions hollowed, and its future mortgaged.—
Adjective
-
Of the 20 dead cats, eight were too decayed for a necropsy exam, which determines the cause of death of a dead animal and any associated diseases or injuries.—
-
The breakthrough came when researchers focused on coelomic fluid, the internal liquid surrounding the sea stars’ organs, rather than tissue from decayed specimens.—
Verb
-
These signs indicate that the iceberg could be just days or weeks from disintegrating completely.—
-
Instead of the usual disintegrating granola situation, Floura bars are more like fruit bars.—
Adjective
-
In a city in which the house always wins — and so many others lose and lose — the Raiders’ rotten run of futility is getting old.—
-
Learn how to banish that rotten egg smell from your washer while keeping it fresh, clean, and odor-free.—
Adjective
-
What to Do With Overripe Pears Not to worry if pears are soft but not spoiled.—
-
The United Center cheers were nearly spoiled when Golden Knights coach Bruce Cassidy challenged the game-winner for an offside penalty.—
Cite this Entry
“Decomposing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/decomposing. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share