decaying
Slowly falling apart
Decaying describes the process of rotting, deteriorating, or breaking down.
Organic matter decays after death: the smell of decaying leaves, a decaying corpse.
Buildings and infrastructure decay from neglect: decaying factories in the Rust Belt.
The word extends to abstract decline—decaying institutions, decaying standards, a decaying empire.
In physics, radioactive materials decay as unstable atoms emit particles over time.
Breakdown into simpler parts
- rottingOrganic matter decomposing
- putrefactionBacterial breakdown of tissue
- compostDecayed organic fertilizer
- moldForm-giving container
fungus · bacteria · maggots · worms · carrion · carcass · corpse · cadaver
Breaking down gradually
- dilapidatedRuined through neglect
- deterioratingBecoming progressively worse
- corrodingDeteriorating through chemical action
- rustingMetal oxidation process
eroding · disintegrating · weathered · rotted · sagging · collapsing · warped · weakened
Powerfully offensive odor
- putridDecomposed and foul-smelling
- fetidHaving foul odor
- rancidDecomposed fat's quality
- malodorousHaving a bad smell
reek · noisome · foul · rank · pungent · nauseating · offensive · repulsive
Abandoned or neglectful
- neglectedNot given proper attention
- forsakenCompletely abandoned or discarded
- overgrownExcessively covered in vegetation
- abandonedLeft behind completely
disrepair · ruins · rubble · dilapidation · condemned · vacant · deserted · forgotten
Process of declining quality
- degradationDecline in condition
- atrophyWasting from disuse
- waningGradually decreasing in intensity
- ebbingGradually declining or receding
fading · withering · wasting · diminishing · regression · degeneration · entropy · stagnation
Cessation of life
- dyingCeasing to live
- mortalSubject to death
- transienceBrevity of existence
- impermanenceQuality of not lasting
inevitable · finite · ephemeral · fleeting · passing · perishing · end · demise
decomposition
Breakdown into simpler parts
- rottingOrganic matter decomposing
- putrefactionBacterial breakdown of tissue
- compostDecayed organic fertilizer
mold · fungus · bacteria · maggots · worms · carrion · carcass · corpse · cadaver · flesh
crumbling
Breaking down gradually
- dilapidatedRuined through neglect
- deterioratingBecoming progressively worse
- corrodingDeteriorating through chemical action
rusting · eroding · disintegrating · weathered · rotted · sagging · collapsing · warped · weakened · unstable
stench
Powerfully offensive odor
malodorous · reek · noisome · foul · rank · pungent · nauseating · offensive · repulsive · slimy
derelict
Abandoned or neglectful
- neglectedNot given proper attention
- forsakenCompletely abandoned or discarded
- overgrownExcessively covered in vegetation
abandoned · disrepair · ruins · rubble · dilapidation · condemned · vacant · deserted · forgotten · ghostly
deterioration
Process of declining quality
- degradationDecline in condition
- atrophyWasting from disuse
- waningGradually decreasing in intensity
ebbing · fading · withering · wasting · diminishing · regression · degeneration · entropy · stagnation · downturn
death
Cessation of life
- dyingCeasing to live
- mortalSubject to death
- transienceBrevity of existence
impermanence · inevitable · finite · ephemeral · fleeting · passing · perishing · end · demise · expiration
- decliningdeclining, waning, fading, diminishing, decreasing
- deterioratingdecomposing, degrading, rotting, eroding, crumbling
- Deteriorationrot, degradation, deterioration, corrosion, rotting
- growth stagesmature, immature, developing, adult, juvenile
- property traitsspacious, cozy, rundown, dilapidated, vacant
- spoiledrotten, rotted, rotting, spoiled, spoiling
decayinggrowing
Increasing or enlarging
flourishing · thriving · blossoming · blooming · developing
- decaying woodTimber in decomposition