putrefies
Becomes rotten matter
Putrefies is the third-person singular of putrefy, meaning to rot or decay, especially organic matter breaking down and producing foul odors.
The word emphasizes the disgusting aspects of decomposition—the stench, the bacterial breakdown, the transformation into something repulsive: Meat putrefies quickly in the heat.
Figuratively, something putrefies when it becomes morally corrupt or rotten: Power putrefies without accountability.
Emit strong odor
- fetorIntense, offensive odor
- miasmaHarmful atmospheric emanation
- malodorUnpleasant, offensive smell
- stinkOffensive smell
odor · foulness · rankness · noxious · pungency · emanation · effluvium · smell
Breakdown into simpler parts
- rotOrganic breakdown process
- necrosisLocalized cell death
- bacteriaNucleus-free single-celled organisms
- biodegradationMicrobial breakdown of organics
fermentation · autolysis · breakdown · disintegration · deterioration · microorganisms · enzymes · organic
Causing strong disgust
- repulsiveCausing strong disgust
- vileExtremely unpleasant or bad
- loathsomeArousing intense disgust
- abhorrentCausing intense revulsion
nauseating · disgusting · repugnant · gross · sickening · stomach-turning · ghastly · gruesome
reek
Emit strong odor
stink · odor · foulness · rankness · noxious · pungency · emanation · effluvium · smell · rotting
decomposition
Breakdown into simpler parts
- rotOrganic breakdown process
- necrosisLocalized cell death
- bacteriaNucleus-free single-celled organisms
biodegradation · fermentation · autolysis · breakdown · disintegration · deterioration · microorganisms · enzymes · organic · anaerobic
revolting
Causing strong disgust
abhorrent · nauseating · disgusting · repugnant · gross · sickening · stomach-turning · ghastly · gruesome · horrifying
perishable
Prone to decay
tainted · contaminated · expired · turned · festering · rotten · bad · off · spoiled · waste