decayed
Spoiled and crumbling
Decayed describes something that has rotted, deteriorated, or broken down over time.
Organic matter decays: decayed teeth, decayed wood, the decayed remains of a animal.
The word extends to non-physical decline—a decayed neighborhood has fallen into disrepair, a decayed empire has crumbled from its former greatness.
Ruined through neglect
- crumblingBreaking down gradually
- deterioratedBecame worse over time
- ruinedDamaged beyond recovery
- derelictAbandoned or neglectful
ramshackle · tumbledown · disrepair · collapsed · eroded · worn · weathered · decrepit
Broken into simpler parts
- rottingOrganic matter decomposing
- putridDecomposed and foul-smelling
- molderingSlowly decomposing over time
- festeringBecoming infected, decaying
spoiled · biodegradation · compost · humus · detritus · microorganisms · fungi · bacteria
Powerfully offensive odor
- putridDecomposed and foul-smelling
- malodorousHaving a bad smell
- reekEmit strong odor
- fetidHaving foul odor
noisome · foul-smelling · rank · rancid · musty · moldy · sour · pungent
Corroded by moisture
- corrodedEaten away chemically
- oxidizedCombined with oxygen
- tarnishedOxidized and discolored
- pittedSeed removed, or opposed
flaking · verdigris · patina · weathered · discolored · eroded · blistered · degraded
Decayed structural remains
- relicsPreserved items from antiquity
- artifactsHuman-made historical objects
- archaeologicalOf studying ancient remains
- fossilsPreserved ancient organism traces
tombs · temples · crumbling · vestiges · remnants · antiquity · mummies · excavated
dilapidated
Ruined through neglect
- crumblingBreaking down gradually
- deterioratedBecame worse over time
- ruinedDamaged beyond recovery
derelict · ramshackle · tumbledown · disrepair · collapsed · eroded · worn · weathered · decrepit · unstable
decomposed
Broken into simpler parts
- rottingOrganic matter decomposing
- putridDecomposed and foul-smelling
- molderingSlowly decomposing over time
festering · spoiled · biodegradation · compost · humus · detritus · microorganisms · fungi · bacteria · organic
stench
Powerfully offensive odor
- putridDecomposed and foul-smelling
- malodorousHaving a bad smell
- reekEmit strong odor
fetid · noisome · foul-smelling · rank · rancid · musty · moldy · sour · pungent · rotting
rusted
Corroded by moisture
pitted · flaking · verdigris · patina · weathered · discolored · eroded · blistered · degraded · scaly
ruins
Decayed structural remains
- relicsPreserved items from antiquity
- artifactsHuman-made historical objects
- archaeologicalOf studying ancient remains
fossils · tombs · temples · crumbling · vestiges · remnants · antiquity · mummies · excavated · buried
abandoned
Left behind completely
- forgottenNo longer recalled
- neglectedNot given proper attention
- overgrownExcessively covered in vegetation
disused · unattended · forlorn · desolate · shabby · rundown · blighted · squalid · moth-eaten · dusty
corrupt
Dishonest, open to bribes
- degenerateDecline morally or physically
- debasedReduced in worth
- degradedReduced in rank or quality
depraved · dissolute · fallen · corrupted · rotten · tainted · debauched · immoral · sullied
- disgustdisgust, disgusting, disgusted, revulsion, repulsion
- damageddamaged, broken, wrecked, ruined, destroyed
- spoiledrotten, rotted, rotting, spoiled, spoiling
- structural conditionsintact, damaged, compromised, sound, unsound
- tooth conditionscavity, chipped, cracked, loose, missing
- equipment conditionsworn, damaged, broken, rusted, dented
- 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