Decay
Decay verb - To go through decomposition.
Usage example: the atom of plutonium decayed in the test chamber
Deteriorate is a synonym for decay in better topic. In some cases you can use "Deteriorate" instead a verb "Decay", when it comes to topics like decline, reduction, dwindle, decompose. popular alternative
Deteriorate
Deteriorate verb - To become worse or of less value.
Usage example: the garden slowly deteriorated after months of neglect
Decay is a synonym for deteriorate in disintegrate topic. You can use "Decay" instead a verb "Deteriorate", if it concerns topics such as better, reduction, dwindle, worsen. popular alternative
Mutual synonyms
Common collocations
Cite this Source
Deteriorate and Decay. (2016). Retrieved 2026, July 21, from https://thesaurus.plus/related/decay/deteriorate
Decay & Deteriorate. N.p., 2016. Web. 21 Jul. 2026. <https://thesaurus.plus/related/decay/deteriorate>.
Deteriorate or Decay. 2016. Accessed July 21, 2026. https://thesaurus.plus/related/decay/deteriorate.
Google Ngram Viewer shows how "decay" and "deteriorate" have occurred on timeline