decay
Slow material breakdown
Decay is the process of rotting, breaking down, or deteriorating.
Organic matter decays after death; teeth decay without care.
The noun names either the process or its result: the decay of fallen leaves, urban decay.
Extended meanings cover any gradual decline: moral decay, the decay of democratic institutions.
In physics, radioactive decay is the spontaneous breakdown of unstable atomic nuclei.
Breakdown into simpler parts
- putrefactionBacterial breakdown of tissue
- rotOrganic breakdown process
- moldForm-giving container
- bacteriaNucleus-free single-celled organisms
fungi · carrion · carcass · compost · humus · detritus · maggots · decomposer
Process of declining quality
- waneDecrease gradually
- diminishTo make smaller
- degenerateDecline morally or physically
- atrophyWasting from disuse
weaken · degrade · worsen · dwindle · falter · crumble · regression · downfall
State of ruin
- crumblingBreaking down gradually
- disrepairPoor maintained condition
- deteriorationProcess of declining quality
- erosionGradual wearing away
corrosion · rust · weathering · dereliction · rubble · ruins · collapse · disintegration
Dishonest abuse of power
- depravityProfound moral corruption
- degenerationProgressive loss of function
- viceBad habit or deputy
- degradationDecline in condition
decline · dissolution · turpitude · perversion · wickedness · immorality · rot · deterioration
Gradual functional decline with age
- wrinklesSurface lines from folding
- gerontologyScientific study of senescence
- osteoporosisDisease weakening skeletal structure
- dementiaChronic cognitive impairment
Alzheimer's · frailty · degeneration · geriatric · presbyopia · telomeres · age-related
Emitting nuclear decay particles
- half-lifePeriod for fifty-percent reduction
- isotopeElemental variant by mass
- radiationEnergy propagation through space
- gamma-rayHighest-energy electromagnetic wave
uranium · plutonium · fission · radium · radioactivity · nuclear · transmutation · thorium
Empty space within
- cariesTooth tissue decay
- plaqueInscribed memorial tablet
- enamelHard glossy coating
- tartarHardened dental plaque
gingivitis · fluoride · toothache · filling · dentist · periodontitis · abscess · demineralization
decomposition
Breakdown into simpler parts
- putrefactionBacterial breakdown of tissue
- rotOrganic breakdown process
- moldForm-giving container
bacteria · fungi · carrion · carcass · compost · humus · detritus · maggots · decomposer · microorganisms
deterioration
Process of declining quality
- waneDecrease gradually
- diminishTo make smaller
- degenerateDecline morally or physically
atrophy · weaken · degrade · worsen · dwindle · falter · crumble · regression · downfall · disintegration
dilapidation
State of ruin
- crumblingBreaking down gradually
- disrepairPoor maintained condition
- deteriorationProcess of declining quality
erosion · corrosion · rust · weathering · dereliction · rubble · ruins · collapse · disintegration · blight
corruption
Dishonest abuse of power
- depravityProfound moral corruption
- degenerationProgressive loss of function
- viceBad habit or deputy
degradation · decline · dissolution · turpitude · perversion · wickedness · immorality · rot · deterioration · downfall
senescence
Gradual functional decline with age
- wrinklesSurface lines from folding
- gerontologyScientific study of senescence
- osteoporosisDisease weakening skeletal structure
dementia · Alzheimer's · frailty · degeneration · geriatric · presbyopia · telomeres · age-related
radioactive
Emitting nuclear decay particles
- half-lifePeriod for fifty-percent reduction
- isotopeElemental variant by mass
- radiationEnergy propagation through space
gamma-ray · uranium · plutonium · fission · radium · radioactivity · nuclear · transmutation · thorium · radon
cavity
Empty space within
tartar · gingivitis · fluoride · toothache · filling · dentist · periodontitis · abscess · demineralization
- causes of damagestress, trauma, pollution, neglect, abuse
- decayrot, wilt, crumble, decomposition, fade
- deterioraterot, deteriorate, decompose, corrode, crumble
- Deteriorationrot, degradation, deterioration, corrosion, rotting
- go badrot, spoil, mold, sour, curdle
- spoilagerotten, stale, moldy, rotting, spoiled
decaypreservation
Maintaining something's condition
conservation · maintenance · protect · preserve · embalm
decayrecovery
Regaining what was lost
restoration · restore · revitalization · regeneration · renewal
- tooth decayProgressive dental deterioration
- organic decayBiological material breaking down
- moral decayDecline in ethical standards
- urban decayCity infrastructure deterioration
- radioactive decayUnstable atoms releasing energy
- exponential decayProportional decrease over time