Putrefy
verb
To decompose or rot, typically with a horrible smell.
The food left outside started to putrefy within a couple of hours.
Often appears as...
- putrefy quickly
- begin to putrefy
verb
To become very corrupt or evil.
The government had putrefied, leading to a state of lawlessness.
Often appears as...
- putrefy with corruption
- putrefy system
Usage tips
Formal, Disapproving
Political
verb
To decompose or rot, typically with a horrible smell.
The food left outside started to putrefy within a couple of hours.
Often appears as...
- putrefy quickly
- begin to putrefy
verb
To become very corrupt or evil.
The government had putrefied, leading to a state of lawlessness.
Often appears as...
- putrefy with corruption
- putrefy system
Usage tips
Formal, Disapproving
Political
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Strong Odor
Putrefy emphasizes a bad smell from decay, more than just rotting alone.
Despite cleaning, the smell of putrefy remained.
Pro Tip 2/3Advanced Decay
Use 'putrefy' to describe something past initial stages of decay, advanced decomposition.
In the summer heat, the roadkill began to putrefy rapidly.
Pro Tip 3/3Negative Tone
The term 'putrefy' carries a negative connotation, indicating disgust.
The abandoned fridge was filled with food that had started to putrefy.
Compare with
break downcorruptdecaydecomposedeterioratefesterrotspoil
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