rotting
Turning to mush
Rotting describes the process of decay—organic matter breaking down through bacterial or fungal action.
A rotting apple softens and browns.
Rotting wood crumbles.
The word often emphasizes the ongoing, visible nature of decomposition: the smell of rotting vegetation, a rotting corpse.
Figuratively, something rotting is deteriorating or corrupting: a rotting infrastructure, rotting from within.
Putrefying animal remains
- carcassSlaughtered animal's body
- cadaverBody for dissection
- necrosisLocalized cell death
- gangreneTissue death from bloodlessness
putrefaction · maggots · cadaverine · decomposing · corpse · remains · mortality · death
Breakdown into simpler parts
- deteriorationProcess of declining quality
- degradationDecline in condition
- spoilageFood degradation process
- putrefactionBacterial breakdown of tissue
breakdown · disintegration · crumbling · withering · wasting · atrophy · perishing · blight
Powerfully offensive odor
- reekEmit strong odor
- putridDecomposed and foul-smelling
- fetidHaving foul odor
- rankPosition in hierarchy
malodorous · noisome · miasma · foul · rancid · pungent · effluvium · noxious
Ruined or overindulged
- moldyCovered in fungal growth
- rancidDecomposed fat's quality
- curdledSolidified into lumps
- fermentedTransformed by microbial action
overripe · bruised · wormy · maggoty · flyblown · tainted · contaminated · expired
Fungus from dampness
- fungusSpore-bearing organism
- sporesAsexual reproductive bodies
- dampSlightly wet
- mustyStale from dampness
aspergillus · penicillium · mycotoxins · black mold · moisture · humidity · water damage · allergens
Decomposing organic matter deliberately
- biodegradationMicrobial breakdown of organics
- humusDecayed organic soil matter
- detritusLoose waste from decay
- mulchProtective plant bedding
leafmold · soil · nutrients · earthworms · microorganisms · bacteria · fungi · decomposers
carrion
Putrefying animal remains
gangrene · putrefaction · maggots · cadaverine · decomposing · corpse · remains · mortality · death · sepsis
decomposition
Breakdown into simpler parts
- deteriorationProcess of declining quality
- degradationDecline in condition
- spoilageFood degradation process
putrefaction · breakdown · disintegration · crumbling · withering · wasting · atrophy · perishing · blight · ruination
stench
Powerfully offensive odor
rank · malodorous · noisome · miasma · foul · rancid · pungent · effluvium · noxious · sour
spoiled
Ruined or overindulged
fermented · overripe · bruised · wormy · maggoty · flyblown · tainted · contaminated · expired · perishable
mildew
Fungus from dampness
musty · aspergillus · penicillium · mycotoxins · black mold · moisture · humidity · water damage · allergens · growth
composting
Decomposing organic matter deliberately
- biodegradationMicrobial breakdown of organics
- humusDecayed organic soil matter
- detritusLoose waste from decay
mulch · leafmold · soil · nutrients · earthworms · microorganisms · bacteria · fungi · decomposers · detritivores
- smellsmell, scent, odor, reek, aroma
- spoilagerotten, stale, moldy, spoiled, decay
- spoiled foodmolding, spoiling, decaying, rancid, putrid
- compostcompost, compost bin, compost pile, compost bins, compost tumbler
- decompositiondecomposition, autolysis, putrefaction, biodegradation, bloating
- chemical breakdowndecomposition, hydrolysis, pyrolysis, combustion, photolysis
- rotting carcassDecomposing dead animal body
- rotting fleshDecomposing animal tissue
- rotting woodDeteriorating plant matter
- rotting meatDecaying animal flesh
- rotting teethOral tissue decomposing
- rotting logDead tree decomposing naturally