Home Synonyms decay

Synonyms of decay in English:

decay


See US English definition of decay

See UK English definition of decay

See Spanish definition of decaer

verb

1‘the flesh of the corpses had decayed’

SYNONYMS
decompose, rot, putrefy, go bad, go off, spoil, fester, perish, deteriorate
degrade, break down, break up, moulder, shrivel, shrivel up, wither
technical mortify, necrotize, sphacelate
archaic corrupt

2‘the inner cities in Britain continue to decay’

SYNONYMS
deteriorate, degenerate, decline, go downhill, slump, slip, slide, go to rack and ruin, go to seed, run to seed, worsen, crumble, disintegrate, fall to pieces, come apart at the seams, fall into disrepair, become dilapidated
fail, wane, ebb, dwindle, collapse
informal go to pot, go to the dogs, hit the skids, go down the tubes, go down the toilet
Australian, New Zealand informal go to the pack
ANTONYMS

improve


noun

1‘the fish showed no signs of decay’

SYNONYMS
decomposition, rotting, going bad, putrefaction, putrescence, putridity, festering, spoilage, perishing, withering, shrivelling
rot, mould, mildew, fungus
archaic corruption

2‘consumption of sugar can lead to tooth decay’

SYNONYMS
rot, rotting, corrosion, corroding, decomposition
caries, cavities, holes
rare cariosity

3‘they blame TV for the decay of American values’

SYNONYMS
deterioration, degeneration, debasement, degradation, decline, slipping, waning, ebb, shrinking, withering, weakening, atrophy, crumbling, disintegration, collapse, lapse, fall, failure
formal devolution
dated decadence
ANTONYMS

improvement