putrefied
Decayed beyond recognition
Putrefied describes organic matter that has decayed and begun to rot, typically with a foul smell.
The word applies to decomposing flesh, spoiled food, or anything that has undergone putrefaction: The putrefied remains were discovered weeks later.
Figuratively, putrefied can describe something morally corrupt or rotten: a putrefied political system.
Powerfully offensive odor
- fetidHaving foul odor
- malodorousHaving a bad smell
- miasmaHarmful atmospheric emanation
- noxiousHarmful, especially when inhaled
reek · foul · rank · cadaverine · sulfurous · ammonia · nauseating · sickening
Breakdown into simpler parts
- biodegradationMicrobial breakdown of organics
- breakdownFailure or decomposition
- disintegrationProcess of breaking apart
- deteriorationProcess of declining quality
degradation · autolysis · necrosis · rotting · decaying · corruption · liquefaction · detritus
Decomposed or corrupt
- moldyCovered in fungal growth
- expiredNo longer in effect
- taintedContaminated, made impure
- contaminatedMade impure by contact
sour · stale · inedible · perished · ruined · turned · off · bad
stench
Powerfully offensive odor
- fetidHaving foul odor
- malodorousHaving a bad smell
- miasmaHarmful atmospheric emanation
noxious · reek · foul · rank · cadaverine · sulfurous · ammonia · nauseating · sickening · overpowering
decomposition
Breakdown into simpler parts
- biodegradationMicrobial breakdown of organics
- breakdownFailure or decomposition
- disintegrationProcess of breaking apart
deterioration · degradation · autolysis · necrosis · rotting · decaying · corruption · liquefaction · detritus · carrion
rotten
Decomposed or corrupt
contaminated · sour · stale · inedible · perished · ruined · turned · off · bad · curdled
maggots
Larval flies
- fliesWinged buzzing pests
- larvaeImmature metamorphosing creatures
- blowfliesFlesh-eating fly larvae hosts
carrion · beetles · scavengers · vermin · insects · infested · crawling · swarming · eggs · pupae
bacteria
Nucleus-free single-celled organisms
- microorganismsMicroscopic living entities
- enzymesReaction-speeding proteins
- fungiSpore-reproducing decomposers
mold · fermentation · anaerobic · aerobic · cultures · pathogens · spores · yeast · microbial · detritivores