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Definitions

go bad

VERB
debauch
Synonyms
STRONG
abuse bastardize bestialize betray brutalize debase defile deflower demoralize fornicate fraternize intrigue inveigle lure pervert pollute ravish ruin seduce subvert tempt violate vitiate warp
WEAK
go to hell lead astray live in the gutter
Antonyms
STRONG
be loyal clean defend disenchant disgust help honor obey praise protect purify repulse straighten value
WEAK
cleanse improve upgrade
VERB
decay
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 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
VERB
die
Synonyms
STRONGEST
deteriorate disappear end expire fail fall pass stop vanish
STRONG
abate bate crumble decay decline degenerate dilapidate diminish droop ebb fade halt lapse moderate molder rankle recede retrograde rot sink slacken subside wane weaken wilt
WEAK
break down ease off fade away fade out fizzle out go downhill let up lose power melt away peter out run down run low run out wear away
Antonyms
STRONGEST
advance appear arrive bear begin commence reach start win
STRONG
build continue develop enhance enlarge extend flourish forge forward grow improve increase prolong rise strengthen
WEAK
be born live
VERB
putrefy
Synonyms
STRONG
corrupt crumble decay decompose deteriorate disintegrate molder spoil stink taint turn
WEAK
break down putresce
Antonyms
STRONG
build combine develop grow improve put together unite
VERB
rot
Synonyms
STRONGEST
break down crumble decay decompose disintegrate languish molder perish spoil stain warp wither
STRONG
corrupt debase debauch decline degenerate demoralize deprave descend fester pervert putrefy retrograde sink taint turn worsen
WEAK
disimprove go downhill go to pot waste away
Antonyms
STRONGEST
build combine develop flourish grow improve put together strengthen unite
STRONG
ascend clean cleanse go up increase moralize purify rise upgrade
VERB
spoil
Synonyms
STRONGEST
taint
STRONG
addle crumble curdle decompose deteriorate disintegrate mildew molder putrefy rot turn
WEAK
become tainted become useless break down go off
VERB
turn
Synonyms
STRONG
acidify crumble curdle decay decompose disintegrate dull ferment molder putrefy rot sour spoil taint
WEAK
become rancid break down
Antonyms
STRONG
build combine develop flourish grow improve put together unite
WEAK
make well

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.

Overall longevity decreases greatly when dealing with chopped or minced garlic, which can go bad within a day, even when stored in the refrigerator.

From Salon • Apr. 19, 2026

A big reason investors are ditching private credit is because they’re scared its loans are about to go bad.

From Barron's • Mar. 18, 2026

“Whatever asset you’re looking at people are on a knife’s edge regarding leverage and that doesn’t have to go bad; that can go very very well before it goes very, very bad,” he said.

From MarketWatch • Feb. 18, 2026

And because bananas go bad quickly, companies are generally unable to build up large inventories ahead of tariffs the way some did with electronics or furniture.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 14, 2025

My left eye twitched, a sign that things were going to go bad if Krystal didn't shut up.

From "Patina" by Jason Reynolds