Synonyms and antonyms of To decay, or to rot in British Thesaurus

biodegrade (verb)

if a substance biodegrades, bacteria cause it to separate into very small parts so that it is not harmful to the environment

curdle (verb)

if milk or another liquid curdles, or if something makes it curdle, lumps begin to form in it

decay (verb)

to be gradually destroyed as a result of a natural process of change

decay (verb)

if a building or an area decays, its state gradually gets worse because it has not been looked after

decompose (verb)

biology to decay by a slow natural process, especially through the action of particular bacteria or fungi

fester (verb)

if food or waste material festers, it starts to decay and smell bad

go off (British)

British if food or drink goes off, it is no longer fresh

perish (verb)

if a substance such as wood, rubber, or food perishes, it decays and cannot be used

putrefy (verb)

formal to decay

rot (verb)

to decay by a gradual natural process, or to make something decay in this way

sour (verb)

if something such as milk sours, or if something sours it, it gets an unpleasant taste or smell because it is no longer fresh

spoil (verb)

if food spoils, it starts to decay, so that you cannot eat it

turn (verb)

if milk turns, it becomes sour