decompose
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.
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The rod-leading method caused some WC to decompose near the upper portion of the manufactured structure, creating defects in the final material.
From Science Daily ● Aug. 4, 2026
The pair previously told of how Harriet's body had been allowed to decompose so badly by NUH, it had to be triple-bagged for her funeral.
From BBC ● Jun. 23, 2026
In November 2019, Nelligan began researching how bodies decompose in soil.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 7, 2026
Despite recycling efforts, most plastic ends up in landfills where it can take centuries to decompose, leaching out chemicals during that time, Deeney said.
From Barron's ● Jan. 26, 2026
Despite being embalmed, the body began to decompose and smell by Thursday, three days after Garfield's death.
From "Ambushed!" by Gail Jarrow
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The whale has gained in size in recent days because of a build-up of gas as the carcass decomposes, and some islanders are worried it may explode.
From BBC ● May 20, 2026
Fires that start below the surface often begin spontaneously, as organic matter decomposes and creates heat, fueled by oxygen that sneaks in through the cracks.
From Barron's ● Apr. 30, 2026
The idea was to reduce the amount of food that ends up in landfills, where it emits greenhouse gases as it decomposes, a major factor contributing to climate change.
From Salon ● Jan. 22, 2025
Green tea consists of organic matter that decomposes easily, whereas rooibos decomposes more slowly.
From Science Daily ● Dec. 2, 2024
“It’s just a case of remembering that oxalic acid on heating decomposes into carbon dioxide, water, and good old carbon monoxide. College chem, you know.”
From "I, Robot" by Isaac Asimov
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Unlike in 1986, when many of the artifacts, especially the elephant tusks, decomposed after being exposed to the open air, Ran improvised a new system for the dig.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 8, 2026
What remains that haven’t been scavenged have decomposed to the point where DNA analysis is difficult and all but useless in Gaza, where there are no functioning laboratories able to test and compare samples.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 9, 2026
The county's medical examiner said the body was "severely decomposed" and deferred on making a ruling on how she died pending the death investigation.
From BBC ● Apr. 16, 2026
Based on this evidence, the researchers concluded that the animal had partially decomposed before fossilization, altering its appearance and leading to the earlier misidentification.
From Science Daily ● Apr. 7, 2026
“You have an instant fatality that leaves no marks on the skeletal remains. Unfortunately, the soft tissues that would show us what happened have decomposed in the past hundred years.”
From "Shipwrecked!" by Martin W. Sandler
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Since the fire was extinguished, Lineage has been tasked with removing roughly 88 million pounds of spoiled and decomposing food, along with fire and demolition debris.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 5, 2026
A court has turned down their request but ordered the authorities to protect the body from decomposing.
From BBC ● May 21, 2026
The decomposing waste generates methane, which scientists say is responsible for at least a quarter of global warming.
From Barron's ● May 13, 2026
It said it had to make a "painful decision" to use the decomposing body "as the only anchor to safely reach the calf".
From BBC ● May 6, 2026
I seemed to see the whole universe, even the sun and sky, leaping forward, then sinking away again, decomposing.
From "Grendel" by John Gardner
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Vocabulary lists containing decompose
"The Ravine," Vocabulary from the short story
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Can You Dig It? Words for Dirt and Soil
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"Living in the Dark," Vocabulary from the science article
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