Synonyms for

Rotten

Verb / ˈrɑ:tʌn / Another word for rotten — explore alternatives below. For syllable breakdowns and pronunciation, see this word on Syllablesworld.

Definition

decayed or decomposed and no longer fit for use or consumption

Synonyms & similar words

stinky lousy shitty rotted stinking decayed icky crappy spoiled bad decayed rotting putrid moldy foul rancid stale off corrupt decomposing manky fetid mushy mouldering mouldy mushroomy offensive rotted

Synonyms by register

Formal

decayed putrid spoiled decomposed

Informal

gone bad off mouldy stinky

Literary

corrupt blighted fetid

Antonyms

fresh sound good ripe uncorrupted wholesome perfect

Common collocations

  • rotten egg
  • rotten fruit
  • rotten wood
  • rotten teeth
  • rotten luck
  • rotten borough
  • rotten smell

Word family

noun rot
verb rot
adjective rotten
adverb rottenly

Usage note

Often used to describe food that has decayed, but can also be used metaphorically to describe something morally corrupt or very bad.

Example sentences

  1. The garbage smells rotten.
  2. The banana was rotten and had to be thrown away.
  3. The wood in the old house was rotten and needed to be replaced.
  4. The egg smelled rotten and I knew I shouldn't eat it.
  5. The meat was starting to turn rotten and was no longer safe to eat.

Quotes

  • I'm not rotten to the core. You know I'm just a little broken.
  • It's better to burn out than to fade away. I'm going to put my colors into the air and leave them there until the wind blows them away. Rotten Tomatoes will have a tough time trying to estimate my audience appeal.
  • I'm a bit of a weirdo, and if you're a bit like me, you're considered a rotten apple too.

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