decay
verb (used without object)
to become decomposed; rot.
decayed
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.
Peat is formed over thousands of years from partially decayed plants in waterlogged conditions.
From BBC ● Sep. 30, 2026
Yet, despite this surge of security personnel, basic living conditions have only decayed.
From Slate ● Aug. 11, 2026
“Remote and hybrid work used to be a privilege, but its benefits over in-person work have decayed across the board,” Chris Martin, senior economist at Glassdoor, told MarketWatch.
From MarketWatch ● Jun. 27, 2026
In several cases, these concretions sealed off the interior lining, preserving pieces of fabric that would normally have decayed long ago.
From Science Daily ● Jun. 8, 2026
The piles were decayed and the planks were green with slime, and there was nothing else; nothing beyond it; the path ended where the jetty began, and where the jetty ended, the mist began.
From "The Amber Spyglass" by Philip Pullman
