Synonyms/Hypernyms (Ordered by Estimated Frequency) of noun decay
5 senses of decay
Sense 1
decay -- (the process of gradually becoming inferior)
=> natural process, natural action, action, activity -- (a process existing in or produced by nature (rather than by the intent of human beings); "the action of natural forces"; "volcanic activity")
Sense 2
decay, decline -- (a gradual decrease; as of stored charge or current)
=> decrease, decrement -- (a process of becoming smaller or shorter)
Sense 3
decay, decomposition -- (the organic phenomenon of rotting)
=> organic phenomenon -- ((biology) a natural phenomenon involving living plants and animals)
Sense 4
decay -- (an inferior state resulting from the process of decaying; "the corpse was in an advanced state of decay"; "the house had fallen into a serious state of decay and disrepair")
=> unsoundness -- (a condition of damage or decay)
Sense 5
decay, radioactive decay, disintegration -- (the spontaneous disintegration of a radioactive substance along with the emission of ionizing radiation)
=> nuclear reaction -- ((physics) a process that alters the energy or structure or composition of atomic nuclei)
Synonyms/Hypernyms (Ordered by Estimated Frequency) of verb decay
3 senses of decay
Sense 1
disintegrate, decay, decompose -- (lose a stored charge, magnetic flux, or current; "the particles disintegrated during the nuclear fission process")
=> change integrity -- (change in physical make-up)
Sense 2
decay, crumble, dilapidate -- (fall into decay or ruin; "The unoccupied house started to decay")
=> change -- (undergo a change; become different in essence; losing one's or its original nature; "She changed completely as she grew older"; "The weather changed last night")
Sense 3
decay -- (undergo decay or decomposition; "The body started to decay and needed to be cremated")
=> change -- (undergo a change; become different in essence; losing one's or its original nature; "She changed completely as she grew older"; "The weather changed last night")
