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Definitions

rotten

[rot-n] / ˈrɒt n /
ADJECTIVE
decayed, decaying
Synonyms
STRONGEST
corrupt disgusting moldy noxious overripe putrid rancid rotting sour spoiled stale
WEAK
bad bad-smelling corroded crumbled crumbling decomposed decomposing disintegrated disintegrating fecal feculent festering fetid foul gross infected loathsome loud mephitic moldering noisome offensive perished polluted purulent pustular putrescent putrified rank smelling stinking strong tainted touched unsound
Antonyms
STRONGEST
fresh good helpful perfumed pleasant pure sweet wholesome
WEAK
decent honest kind moral new nice superior trustworthy uncorrupt undecayed
ADJECTIVE
dishonest, immoral
Synonyms
STRONGEST
corrupt crooked
WEAK
bent bribable contaminated debauched deceitful defiled degenerate depraved dirtied dishonorable disloyal faithless filthy flagitious impure mercenary nefarious perfidious perverse polluted soiled sullied tainted treacherous unclean untrustworthy venal vicious villainous vitiated
Antonyms
STRONGEST
honest
WEAK
decent fresh good kind moral new nice pleasant superior trustworthy uncorrupt undecayed
ADJECTIVE
despicable, inferior, bad
Synonyms
STRONGEST
amiss crummy dirty diseased lousy nasty sour unlucky unpleasant
WEAK
base below par bruised bum contemptible defective deplorable disagreeable disappointing displeasing dissatisfactory filthy impaired inadequate injured low-grade mean poor punk regrettable rough scurrilous shaky sorry substandard unacceptable unfortunate unhappy unsatisfactory unsound vile wasted wicked withering wrong
Antonyms
STRONGEST
agreeable clean friendly good great happy magnificent moral pleasant pleasing wonderful
WEAK
decent fresh honest kind new nice superior trustworthy uncorrupt undecayed

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.

I understand every grubby, rotten impulse of the bereaved.

From Slate • Apr. 23, 2026

Our transit overlords didn’t come up with this rotten idea on their own.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 20, 2026

He says that many of them were thirsty, starving or had rotten feet after journeying into Evros.

From BBC • Apr. 14, 2026

But many such secular growth stocks — say software over recent decades, and AI more recently — have been having a rotten time of late.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 13, 2026

The more rotten an egg gets, the lighter it gets, until it doesn’t seem to weigh anything at all.

From "The Seven Wonders of Sassafras Springs" by Betty G. Birney

Vocabulary lists containing rotten

Oh, No! Synonyms for "Bad"

Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!

List 3

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So Bad: Synonyms for "Awful"

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!