rottenness
State of decomposition
Rottenness is the state of being rotten—decayed, decomposed, or spoiled.
It applies literally to organic matter that has broken down: the rottenness of the fruit attracted flies.
Figuratively, rottenness describes moral corruption or fundamental unsoundness in systems, institutions, or character: the rottenness at the heart of the organization.
The word carries strong connotations of something gone deeply wrong, often hidden beneath a surface that once appeared sound.
Breakdown into simpler parts
- putrefactionBacterial breakdown of tissue
- spoilageFood degradation process
- moldForm-giving container
- deteriorationProcess of declining quality
compost · disintegration · fermentation · degradation · breakdown · perishability · blight · waste
Corrupt payment for influence
- embezzlementFraudulent taking of entrusted assets
- fraudIntentional criminal trickery
- graftIllicit political gain
- nepotismPreferring kin in hiring
cronyism · malfeasance · kickbacks · collusion · venality · sleaze · misconduct · dishonesty
Having a bad smell
- nauseatingCausing urge to vomit
- repugnantExtremely distasteful or offensive
- offensiveCausing displeasure or attack-oriented
- noisomeExtremely foul-smelling
miasma · disgusting · vile · loathsome · revolting · squalid · filthy · abominable
decomposition
Breakdown into simpler parts
- putrefactionBacterial breakdown of tissue
- spoilageFood degradation process
- moldForm-giving container
deterioration · compost · disintegration · fermentation · degradation · breakdown · perishability · blight · waste · oxidation
bribery
Corrupt payment for influence
- embezzlementFraudulent taking of entrusted assets
- fraudIntentional criminal trickery
- graftIllicit political gain
nepotism · cronyism · malfeasance · kickbacks · collusion · venality · sleaze · misconduct · dishonesty · scandal
malodorous
Having a bad smell
- nauseatingCausing urge to vomit
- repugnantExtremely distasteful or offensive
- offensiveCausing displeasure or attack-oriented
noisome · miasma · disgusting · vile · loathsome · revolting · squalid · filthy · abominable · rancid
- disgustdisgust, disgusting, disgusted, revulsion, repulsion
- Stinksbody odor, skunk, sewage, garbage smell, fart
- weaknessesweakness, flaw, failing, defect, shortcoming
rottennessfreshness
State of being unspoiled
soundness · ripeness · preservation · wholeness · healthiness
rottennessrighteousness
Moral correctness or virtue
rectitude · virtue · integrity · uprightness · incorruptibility
rottennesssoundness
Reliability of structure
excellence · solidity · sturdiness · quality · robustness