Definitions

go bad

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debauch v.
decay v.
die v.
putrefy v.
rot v.
spoil v.
turn v.

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.

See Examples For:

go bad

But it carries risks if underlying loans go bad.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 10, 2026

Unfortunately, there’s no way to prove that’s the case—or that the good won’t go bad.

From Barron's ● Mar. 20, 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

"I think yes, if people are going to go bad, they go bad, but you can't tar a whole religion based on your prejudices."

From BBC ● Jan. 9, 2026

Sometimes things go bad even when other things are going bad.

From "Okay for Now" by Gary D. Schmidt

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