Synonyms/Hypernyms (Ordered by Estimated Frequency) of verb decompose

3 senses of decompose

Sense 1
decompose, break up, break down -- (separate (substances) into constituent elements or parts)
       => separate -- (divide into components or constituents; "Separate the wheat from the chaff")

Sense 2
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 3
decompose, rot, molder, moulder -- (break down; "The bodies decomposed in the heat")
       => decay -- (undergo decay or decomposition; "The body started to decay and needed to be cremated")