as in to disintegrate
to go through decomposition
detectives needed to know how long it would take a corpse to decompose to that advanced state
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Recent Examples of decompose
After a series of hot days, the composter can finish decomposing materials in as little as two weeks.
—
Bestreviews, The Mercury News, 11 Mar. 2025
Authorities allege the teenager fatally shot the couple at their home outside Milwaukee in February and lived with the decomposing bodies for weeks before fleeing with $14,000 cash, passports and the family dog.
—CBS News, 13 Apr. 2025
The clippings quickly decompose and return valuable nutrients to the soil.
—Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 13 Apr. 2025
The bureau did not say how long the remains had been decomposing when they were found in April 1973, six months after Dollison's disappearance.
—Kerry Breen, CBS News, 10 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for decompose
Bestreviews, The Mercury News, 11 Mar. 2025
Authorities allege the teenager fatally shot the couple at their home outside Milwaukee in February and lived with the decomposing bodies for weeks before fleeing with $14,000 cash, passports and the family dog.
—CBS News, 13 Apr. 2025
The clippings quickly decompose and return valuable nutrients to the soil.
—Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 13 Apr. 2025
The bureau did not say how long the remains had been decomposing when they were found in April 1973, six months after Dollison's disappearance.
—Kerry Breen, CBS News, 10 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for decompose
Recent Examples of Synonyms for decompose
Verb
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The latest observations of the comet suggest the object, made of ancient rock, frozen gases and dust, has disintegrated on its way to a close approach of the sun, which was anticipated to occur on May 1.—
Ashley Strickland,
CNN Money,
19 Apr. 2025
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Mike White slickly disintegrates American family and friend relations — using flashy prurience but no analysis.—
Armond White,
National Review,
9 Apr. 2025
Verb
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However, when viruses were exposed to sunlight, many of them did not survive as long, decaying in under 24 hours.—
Jack Knudson,
Discover Magazine,
13 Mar. 2025
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The result was not only environmental catastrophe but license for unchecked consumption of cheap plastic goods that can take a few minutes to use but hundreds of years to decay.—
Scott W. Stern,
The Atlantic,
10 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Tulips bulbs left in the ground will rot unless they are planted in an area with good drainage.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
9 Apr. 2025
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While rotting wood needs replacement, the car’s steel frame remains in good condition due to decades of indoor storage, Phalon said.—
David M. Zimmer,
USA Today,
8 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Decompose.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/decompose. Accessed 24 Apr. 2025.
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