as in decay
the process by which dead organic matter separates into simpler substances
the unmistakable smell of decomposition led us to some fruit that had fallen behind the refrigerator
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Recent Examples of decomposition
Cutting up large or coarse ingredients like banana peels will speed up their decomposition.
—
Jessica Damiano, Los Angeles Times, 30 Apr. 2026
Turn the pile regularly to aerate the pile and speed up decomposition.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 28 Apr. 2026
Compost requires a balance of green to brown material to support the microbial activity that drives decomposition.
—Michelle Mastro, Martha Stewart, 23 Apr. 2026
Additional skin abrasions are noted, though the medical examiner could not determine the causes because of the severe decomposition of the body.
—Andi Babineau, CNN Money, 23 Apr. 2026
Authorities said the state of decomposition indicated that Hernandez was likely dead for weeks before she was found.
—Anthony Robledo, USA Today, 17 Apr. 2026
Authorities located a body in the front trunk of the Tesla that was in a state of decomposition, LAPD sources said.
—Alex Stone, ABC News, 16 Apr. 2026
Sources said that due to the advanced state of decomposition, the deceased died some time ago.
—Joe Holden, CBS News, 16 Apr. 2026
Her body was found wrapped in a blanket, her face battered and bloated from early decomposition, forensic analysts testified.
—Cristóbal Reyes, The Orlando Sentinel, 14 Apr. 2026
Jessica Damiano, Los Angeles Times, 30 Apr. 2026
Turn the pile regularly to aerate the pile and speed up decomposition.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 28 Apr. 2026
Compost requires a balance of green to brown material to support the microbial activity that drives decomposition.
—Michelle Mastro, Martha Stewart, 23 Apr. 2026
Additional skin abrasions are noted, though the medical examiner could not determine the causes because of the severe decomposition of the body.
—Andi Babineau, CNN Money, 23 Apr. 2026
Authorities said the state of decomposition indicated that Hernandez was likely dead for weeks before she was found.
—Anthony Robledo, USA Today, 17 Apr. 2026
Authorities located a body in the front trunk of the Tesla that was in a state of decomposition, LAPD sources said.
—Alex Stone, ABC News, 16 Apr. 2026
Sources said that due to the advanced state of decomposition, the deceased died some time ago.
—Joe Holden, CBS News, 16 Apr. 2026
Her body was found wrapped in a blanket, her face battered and bloated from early decomposition, forensic analysts testified.
—Cristóbal Reyes, The Orlando Sentinel, 14 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for decomposition
Noun
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In detectors filled with liquid argon, the decay of this isotope creates signals that can look deceptively similar to the ones scientists are searching for.—
Rupendra Brahambhatt,
Interesting Engineering,
25 Apr. 2026
-
Some formulas can remove surface stains caused by coffee, smoking or wine, while others address tougher stains caused by decay, age or genetics.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
24 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The foundations of its low-waste approach were built by Maurice Mc Geehan (aka @thenowastechef), who consulted on equipment choices—including a charcoal grill and fermentation buckets—and techniques—such as pickling, fermentation, and creating powders from leftover ingredients.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
23 Apr. 2026
-
Heat Dairy and non-dairy yogurts are made through a fermentation process that promotes the growth of certain beneficial bacterial strains.—
Heidi Moawad,
Verywell Health,
23 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Nikolai Gogol’s will specified that his corpse must show visible signs of putrefaction before burial.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
8 Oct. 2025
-
Likely only dead individuals, floating as gases formed by putrefaction accumulated in body cavities, entered the lagoon.—
David Bressan,
Forbes.com,
29 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Decomposition.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/decomposition. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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