putrescent
Becoming foul, decayed
Putrescent describes something in the process of rotting or decaying, particularly organic matter producing the foul smell of decomposition: the putrescent remains of a dead animal, a putrescent wound.
The word emphasizes active decay rather than something already fully decomposed.
It appears most often in literary or technical contexts.
Powerfully offensive odor
- fetidHaving foul odor
- malodorousHaving a bad smell
- reekEmit strong odor
- noisomeExtremely foul-smelling
miasma · pungent · nauseating · rank · offensive · foul · sickening · repugnant
Breakdown into simpler parts
- necrosisLocalized cell death
- gangreneTissue death from bloodlessness
- molderingSlowly decomposing over time
- spoilageFood degradation process
rotting · disintegration · carrion · cadaverous · festering · perishing · wasting · saponification
Ruined or overindulged
- moldyCovered in fungal growth
- taintedContaminated, made impure
- rancidDecomposed fat's quality
- festeredBecame infected and worsened
gangrenous · necrotic · rank · stale · overripe · decayed · contaminated · infected
Wet, slippery, unpleasant
- clammyMoist and cool
- spongySoft and absorbent
- oozingLeaking viscously and slowly
- mushySoft or saccharine
squashy · viscous · gelatinous · liquefied · pulpy · suppurating · weeping · sloughing
Nucleus-free single-celled organisms
- microorganismsMicroscopic living entities
- enzymesReaction-speeding proteins
- decomposersOrganisms breaking down dead material
- fungiSpore-reproducing decomposers
maggots · larvae · carrion · organic · anaerobic · cadaverine · detritus
stench
Powerfully offensive odor
- fetidHaving foul odor
- malodorousHaving a bad smell
- reekEmit strong odor
noisome · miasma · pungent · nauseating · rank · offensive · foul · sickening · repugnant · musty
decomposition
Breakdown into simpler parts
- necrosisLocalized cell death
- gangreneTissue death from bloodlessness
- molderingSlowly decomposing over time
spoilage · rotting · disintegration · carrion · cadaverous · festering · perishing · wasting · saponification · corrupted
spoiled
Ruined or overindulged
festered · gangrenous · necrotic · rank · stale · overripe · decayed · contaminated · infected · sour
slimy
Wet, slippery, unpleasant
mushy · squashy · viscous · gelatinous · liquefied · pulpy · suppurating · weeping · sloughing · soft
bacteria
Nucleus-free single-celled organisms
- microorganismsMicroscopic living entities
- enzymesReaction-speeding proteins
- decomposersOrganisms breaking down dead material
fungi · maggots · larvae · carrion · organic · anaerobic · cadaverine · detritus
bloated
Swelled from excess
- swollenAbnormally enlarged
- discoloredChanged from original hue
- mottledHaving irregular color patches
ghastly · livid · greenish · blackened · sunken · distended · marbled · pallid · waxy · grotesque
putrescentperfumed
Treated with fragrance
fragrant · sweet-smelling · aromatic · redolent · odorless
putrescentpure
Unmixed, without impurities
wholesome · incorruptible · salubrious · clean · untainted