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Definitions

decay

[dih-key] / dɪˈkeɪ /
NOUN
breaking down, collapse
Synonyms
STRONGEST
blight corrosion decomposition degeneration deterioration disintegration disrepair extinction impairment rot
STRONG
adulteration atrophy caries consumption crumbling decadence decline decrease decrepitude degeneracy depreciation dilapidation dissolution downfall dying fading failing gangrene mortification perishing putrefaction putrescence putridity putridness rotting ruin ruination rust senescence spoilage spoilation wasting withering
WEAK
wasting away
Antonyms
STRONGEST
building development growth improvement
STRONG
ascent construction increase morality rise
WEAK
flourish germination ripening strength strengthening
VERB
deteriorate, crumble
Synonyms
STRONGEST
atrophy corrode decompose degenerate discolor disintegrate dissolve dwindle fade get worse lessen mortify pollute rot shrivel wane wither
STRONG
blight collapse curdle decline defile depreciate dry-rot fail mildew mold molder perish putrefy sap sicken sink slump spoil suppurate turn weaken
WEAK
be impaired become contaminated break up go bad go to seed go to the dogs hit rock bottom hit the skids pejorate putresce reach depths waste away wear away
Antonyms
STRONGEST
brighten build color combine develop enlarge expand extend grow improve increase put together raise strengthen unite
STRONG
ascend help make well prosper rise
WEAK
flourish germinate ripen

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The debris takes a long time to decay, meaning the ground is stable until…it isn’t.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 8, 2026

This limits event risk and harnesses time decay, the term for how options lose value each day closer to expiration.

From Barron's • Apr. 8, 2026

The chapel, whose unusual design includes three spires, two steeples, a belfry and separate sanctuaries for Catholics and Protestants, has been locked and left to decay since being damaged in the 1971 Sylmar earthquake.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 3, 2026

An option that doesn’t lose value to time decay has the appearance of increasing implied volatility.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 26, 2026

But even with radiometric dating, as decay measurements became known, it would be decades before we got within a billion years or so of Earth’s actual age.

From "A Short History of Nearly Everything" by Bill Bryson

Vocabulary lists containing decay

Earth Science - Middle School

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Rocks and Minerals - Introductory

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Earth Science: Natural Resources and the Environment

Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!