All decay synonyms
deΒ·cay
D d noun decay
- collapse β If a building or other structure collapses, it falls down very suddenly.
- rot β to undergo decomposition; decay.
- degeneration β the process of degenerating
- disrepair β the condition of needing repair; an impaired or neglected state.
- corrosion β Corrosion is the damage that is caused when something is corroded.
- disintegration β the act or process of disintegrating.
- impairment β the state of being diminished, weakened, or damaged, especially mentally or physically: cognitive impairment in older adults.
- decomposition β Decomposition is the process of decay that takes place when a living thing changes chemically after dying.
- deterioration β the act or process of deteriorating.
- blight β You can refer to something as a blight when it causes great difficulties, and damages or spoils other things.
- ruination β the act or state of ruining or the state of being ruined.
- dilapidation β to cause or allow (a building, automobile, etc.) to fall into a state of disrepair, as by misuse or neglect (often used passively): The house had been dilapidated by neglect.
- downfall β descent to a lower position or standing; overthrow; ruin.
- dissolution β the act or process of resolving or dissolving into parts or elements.
- adulteration β an adulterating or being adulterated
- decrease β When something decreases or when you decrease it, it becomes less in quantity, size, or intensity.
- putrescence β becoming putrid; undergoing putrefaction.
- mortification β a feeling of humiliation or shame, as through some injury to one's pride or self-respect.
- fading β to lose brightness or vividness of color.
- decadence β deterioration, esp of morality or culture; decay; degeneration
- decline β If something declines, it becomes less in quantity, importance, or strength.
- senescence β growing old; aging.
- consumption β The consumption of fuel or natural resources is the amount of them that is used or the act of using them.
- ruin β ruins, the remains of a building, city, etc., that has been destroyed or that is in disrepair or a state of decay: We visited the ruins of ancient Greece.
- putrefaction β the act or process of putrefying; the anaerobic decomposition of organic matter by bacteria and fungi that results in obnoxiously odorous products; rotting.
- crumbling β to break into small fragments or crumbs.
- withering β to shrivel; fade; decay: The grapes had withered on the vine.
- decrepitude β Decrepitude is the state of being very old and in poor condition.
- atrophy β If a muscle or other part of the body atrophies, it decreases in size or strength, often as a result of an illness.
- spoilage β the act of spoiling or the state of being spoiled.
- dying β ceasing to live; approaching death; expiring: a dying man.
- rotting β to undergo decomposition; decay.
- failing β Slang. an embarrassing or humorous mistake, humiliating situation, etc., that is subject to ridicule and given an exaggerated importance: Their app update is a massive fail. the condition or quality resulting from having failed in this way: His online post is full of fail. a person who fails in this way.
- depreciation β the reduction in value of a fixed asset due to use, obsolescence, etc
- rust β Also called iron rust. the red or orange coating that forms on the surface of iron when exposed to air and moisture, consisting chiefly of ferric hydroxide and ferric oxide formed by oxidation.
verb decay
- deteriorate β If something deteriorates, it becomes worse in some way.
- shrivel β shrink, dry up
- fade β to lose brightness or vividness of color.
- pollute β to make foul or unclean, especially with harmful chemical or waste products; dirty: to pollute the air with smoke.
- wane β to decrease in strength, intensity, etc.: Daylight waned, and night came on. Her enthusiasm for the cause is waning.
- dwindle β to become smaller and smaller; shrink; waste away: His vast fortune has dwindled away.
- disintegrate β to separate into parts or lose intactness or solidness; break up; deteriorate: The old book is gradually disintegrating with age.
- lessen β to become less.
- corrode β If metal or stone corrodes, or is corroded, it is gradually destroyed by a chemical or by rust.
- discolor β to change or spoil the color of; fade or stain.
- wither β to shrivel; fade; decay: The grapes had withered on the vine.
- degenerate β If you say that someone or something degenerates, you mean that they become worse in some way, for example weaker, lower in quality, or more dangerous.
- mortify β to humiliate or shame, as by injury to one's pride or self-respect.
- dissolve β to make a solution of, as by mixing with a liquid; pass into solution: to dissolve salt in water.
- decompose β When things such as dead plants or animals decompose, or when something decomposes them, they change chemically and begin to decay.