as in decomposition
the process by which dead organic matter separates into simpler substances
in the days before refrigeration, spoilage was a constant problem
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Recent Examples of spoilage
At the time, Pasteur was primarily interested in stemming wine and beer spoilage but, in time, pasteurization would be used for milk and other products.
—
Scott Lafee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Apr. 2026
The process is named after Louis Pasteur, the 19th century French scientist who demonstrated that heat could be used to kill microorganisms that cause disease and spoilage.
—Katia Hetter, CNN Money, 1 Apr. 2026
Brine, a mixture of water and salt, proved effective at inhibiting spoilage while enhancing the flavor of food.
—Literary Hub, 31 Mar. 2026
In addition to unpleasant flavors, how your flour smells or looks can indicate spoilage.
—Hannah Lee Leidy, Bon Appetit Magazine, 13 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for spoilage
Scott Lafee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Apr. 2026
The process is named after Louis Pasteur, the 19th century French scientist who demonstrated that heat could be used to kill microorganisms that cause disease and spoilage.
—Katia Hetter, CNN Money, 1 Apr. 2026
Brine, a mixture of water and salt, proved effective at inhibiting spoilage while enhancing the flavor of food.
—Literary Hub, 31 Mar. 2026
In addition to unpleasant flavors, how your flour smells or looks can indicate spoilage.
—Hannah Lee Leidy, Bon Appetit Magazine, 13 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for spoilage
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spoilage
Noun
-
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
Noun
-
Decadence is sensuality and impotence, opulence and decay.—
Olivia Kan-Sperling,
Artforum,
2 May 2026
-
The human brain’s neurons experience similar modes of decay, and so, too, do our downstream behaviors.—
Ross Andersen,
The Atlantic,
2 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Spoilage.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spoilage. Accessed 3 May. 2026.
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