putrefy

verb

pu·​tre·​fy ˈpyü-trə-ˌfī How to pronounce putrefy (audio)
putrefied; putrefying
Choose the Right Synonym for putrefy

decay, decompose, rot, putrefy, spoil mean to undergo destructive dissolution.

decay implies a slow change from a state of soundness or perfection.

a decaying mansion

decompose stresses a breaking down by chemical change and when applied to organic matter a corruption.

the strong odor of decomposing vegetation

rot is a close synonym of decompose and often connotes foulness.

fruit was left to rot in warehouses

putrefy implies the rotting of animal matter and offensiveness to sight and smell.

corpses putrefying on the battlefield

spoil applies chiefly to the decomposition of foods.

keep the ham from spoiling

Examples of putrefy in a Sentence

we traced the bad smell to a dead skunk putrefying under the house
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
But those explicit depictions underscore the many points McCartney and McLennan are trying to make about how misogyny putrefies society. Alexis Gunderson, Vulture, 8 Oct. 2024 It was designed to hold 20 bodies but on this day held 28 — the putrefied remains testifying to two dozen shattered dreams of reaching the United States. Arelis R. Hernández, Washington Post, 1 Mar. 2024 Mules killed in the assault putrefied and attracted swarms of maggots. Trip Gabriel, New York Times, 12 Jan. 2024 Just as fruit and meats left untouched began to rot and putrefy, dregs and undigested material inside the body turned poisonous if not expelled. Meg Leja, Smithsonian Magazine, 10 Nov. 2023 Just as fruit and meats left untouched began to rot and putrefy, so did dregs and undigested material inside the body turn poisonous if not expelled. Discover Magazine, 7 Nov. 2023 Many recipes that survive from antiquity call for allowing fish to putrefy in open vats under the Mediterranean sun for up to three months. Taras Grescoe, Smithsonian Magazine, 23 Oct. 2021 But some of the ailments Romans suffered boggle the mind—vicious fevers, wasting diseases and worms living in putrefying wounds that refused to heal. Edward Watts, Smithsonian Magazine, 28 Apr. 2020 But this, Marcus stresses, only causes our emotions to putrefy and fester. Barrett Swanson, Harper's magazine, 28 Oct. 2019

Word History

Etymology

Middle English putrefien, from Middle French & Latin; Middle French putrefier, from Latin putrefacere, from putrēre to be rotten + facere to make — more at do

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of putrefy was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near putrefy

Cite this Entry

“Putrefy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/putrefy. Accessed 23 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

putrefy

verb
pu·​tre·​fy ˈpyü-trə-ˌfī How to pronounce putrefy (audio)
putrefied; putrefying
: to make or become putrid : rot sense 1a

Medical Definition

putrefy

verb
pu·​tre·​fy ˈpyü-trə-ˌfī How to pronounce putrefy (audio)
putrefied; putrefying

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