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verb

Synonyms & Antonyms (Entry 2 of 2)

de​com​pose
verb
de·​com·​pose
ˌdē-kəm-ˈpōz
de​com​posed; de​com​pos​ing; de​com​pos​es

Definition

  • transitive ​verb
  • to separate into constituent parts or elements or into simpler compounds //decompose water by electrolysis //decompose a word into its base and affixes
  • rot
  • intransitive ​verb
  • to break up into constituent parts by or as if by a chemical process decay, rot //fruit decomposes
Other Words
  • de​com​pos​abil​i​ty ˌdē-kəm-ˌpō-zə-ˈbi-lə-tē noun
  • de​com​pos​able ˌdē-kəm-ˈpō-zə-bəl adjective
  • de​com​po​si​tion (ˌ)dē-ˌkäm-pə-ˈzi-shən noun
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
break down corrupt decay disintegrate fester foul mold molder perish [chiefly British] putrefy rot spoil
Examples
  • //Bacteria and fungi help decompose organic matter.
  • //the smell of decomposing leaves
  • //The compound will decompose in the presence of light.
First Known Use
1718, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1
History and Etymology
French décomposer, from dé- de + composer to compose
decompose
verb

Synonyms & Antonyms

de​com​pose
verb
de·​com·​pose
ˌdē-kəm-ˈpōz
de​com​posed; de​com​pos​ing; de​com​pos​es

Definition

  • transitive ​verb
  • to separate into constituent parts or elements or into simpler compounds //decompose water by electrolysis //decompose a word into its base and affixes
  • rot
  • intransitive ​verb
  • to break up into constituent parts by or as if by a chemical process decay, rot //fruit decomposes
Other Words
  • de​com​pos​abil​i​ty ˌdē-kəm-ˌpō-zə-ˈbi-lə-tē noun
  • de​com​pos​able ˌdē-kəm-ˈpō-zə-bəl adjective
  • de​com​po​si​tion (ˌ)dē-ˌkäm-pə-ˈzi-shən noun
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
break down corrupt decay disintegrate fester foul mold molder perish [chiefly British] putrefy rot spoil
Examples
  • //Bacteria and fungi help decompose organic matter.
  • //the smell of decomposing leaves
  • //The compound will decompose in the presence of light.
First Known Use
1718, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1
History and Etymology
French décomposer, from dé- de + composer to compose
decompose
verb

Synonyms & Antonyms

de​com​pose
verb
de·​com·​pose
ˌdē-kəm-ˈpōz
de​com​posed; de​com​pos​ing; de​com​pos​es

Definition

  • transitive ​verb
  • to separate into constituent parts or elements or into simpler compounds //decompose water by electrolysis //decompose a word into its base and affixes
  • rot
  • intransitive ​verb
  • to break up into constituent parts by or as if by a chemical process decay, rot //fruit decomposes
Other Words
  • de​com​pos​abil​i​ty ˌdē-kəm-ˌpō-zə-ˈbi-lə-tē noun
  • de​com​pos​able ˌdē-kəm-ˈpō-zə-bəl adjective
  • de​com​po​si​tion (ˌ)dē-ˌkäm-pə-ˈzi-shən noun
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
break down corrupt decay disintegrate fester foul mold molder perish [chiefly British] putrefy rot spoil
Examples
  • //Bacteria and fungi help decompose organic matter.
  • //the smell of decomposing leaves
  • //The compound will decompose in the presence of light.
First Known Use
1718, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1
History and Etymology
French décomposer, from dé- de + composer to compose
decompose
verb

Synonyms & Antonyms

de​com​pose
verb
de·​com·​pose
ˌdē-kəm-ˈpōz
de​com​posed; de​com​pos​ing; de​com​pos​es

Definition

  • transitive ​verb
  • to separate into constituent parts or elements or into simpler compounds //decompose water by electrolysis //decompose a word into its base and affixes
  • rot
  • intransitive ​verb
  • to break up into constituent parts by or as if by a chemical process decay, rot //fruit decomposes
Other Words
  • de​com​pos​abil​i​ty ˌdē-kəm-ˌpō-zə-ˈbi-lə-tē noun
  • de​com​pos​able ˌdē-kəm-ˈpō-zə-bəl adjective
  • de​com​po​si​tion (ˌ)dē-ˌkäm-pə-ˈzi-shən noun
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
break down corrupt decay disintegrate fester foul mold molder perish [chiefly British] putrefy rot spoil
Examples
  • //Bacteria and fungi help decompose organic matter.
  • //the smell of decomposing leaves
  • //The compound will decompose in the presence of light.
First Known Use
1718, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1
History and Etymology
French décomposer, from dé- de + composer to compose
decompose
verb

Synonyms & Antonyms

de​com​pose
verb
de·​com·​pose
ˌdē-kəm-ˈpōz
de​com​posed; de​com​pos​ing; de​com​pos​es

Definition

  • transitive ​verb
  • to separate into constituent parts or elements or into simpler compounds //decompose water by electrolysis //decompose a word into its base and affixes
  • rot
  • intransitive ​verb
  • to break up into constituent parts by or as if by a chemical process decay, rot //fruit decomposes
Other Words
  • de​com​pos​abil​i​ty ˌdē-kəm-ˌpō-zə-ˈbi-lə-tē noun
  • de​com​pos​able ˌdē-kəm-ˈpō-zə-bəl adjective
  • de​com​po​si​tion (ˌ)dē-ˌkäm-pə-ˈzi-shən noun
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
break down corrupt decay disintegrate fester foul mold molder perish [chiefly British] putrefy rot spoil
Examples
  • //Bacteria and fungi help decompose organic matter.
  • //the smell of decomposing leaves
  • //The compound will decompose in the presence of light.
First Known Use
1718, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1
History and Etymology
French décomposer, from dé- de + composer to compose