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Synonyms

decomposed

American  
[dee-kuhm-pohzd] / ˌdi kəmˈpoʊzd /

adjective

  1. having undergone decomposition.

  2. (of a feather) having the barbs separate, hanging loosely, and not interconnected by barbules.


Other Word Forms


Etymology

Origin of decomposed

First recorded in 1840–50; decompose + -ed 2


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:

Peat is partially decomposed vegetation that builds up in waterlogged ground over centuries, storing more carbon than any other soil on Earth.

From BBC ● Sep. 12, 2026

The fires are difficult to extinguish because many occurred on peatlands, a wetland ecosystem with layers of partially decomposed organic materials that become flammable when dry.

From Barron's ● Sep. 5, 2026

Unlike in 1986, when many of the artifacts, especially the elephant tusks, decomposed after being exposed to the open air, Ran improvised a new system for the dig.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 8, 2026

Photos displayed by Silverman in court Wednesday morning showed investigators recovered 11 air fresheners from inside the car, indicating someone was trying to suppress the strong odor coming from Hernandez’s badly decomposed remains.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 24, 2026

“You have an instant fatality that leaves no marks on the skeletal remains. Unfortunately, the soft tissues that would show us what happened have decomposed in the past hundred years.”

From "Shipwrecked!" by Martin W. Sandler

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