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Definitions

rotten

[rot-n] / ˈrɒt n /
ADJECTIVE
decayed, decaying
Synonyms
STRONGEST
corrupt disgusting moldy noxious overripe putrid rancid rotting sour spoiled stale
WEAK
bad bad-smelling corroded crumbled crumbling decomposed decomposing disintegrated disintegrating fecal feculent festering fetid foul gross infected loathsome loud mephitic moldering noisome offensive perished polluted purulent pustular putrescent putrified rank smelling stinking strong tainted touched unsound
Antonyms
STRONGEST
fresh good helpful perfumed pleasant pure sweet wholesome
WEAK
decent honest kind moral new nice superior trustworthy uncorrupt undecayed
ADJECTIVE
dishonest, immoral
Synonyms
STRONGEST
corrupt crooked
WEAK
bent bribable contaminated debauched deceitful defiled degenerate depraved dirtied dishonorable disloyal faithless filthy flagitious impure mercenary nefarious perfidious perverse polluted soiled sullied tainted treacherous unclean untrustworthy venal vicious villainous vitiated
Antonyms
STRONGEST
honest
WEAK
decent fresh good kind moral new nice pleasant superior trustworthy uncorrupt undecayed
ADJECTIVE
despicable, inferior, bad
Synonyms
STRONGEST
amiss crummy dirty diseased lousy nasty sour unlucky unpleasant
WEAK
base below par bruised bum contemptible defective deplorable disagreeable disappointing displeasing dissatisfactory filthy impaired inadequate injured low-grade mean poor punk regrettable rough scurrilous shaky sorry substandard unacceptable unfortunate unhappy unsatisfactory unsound vile wasted wicked withering wrong
Antonyms
STRONGEST
agreeable clean friendly good great happy magnificent moral pleasant pleasing wonderful
WEAK
decent fresh honest kind new nice superior trustworthy uncorrupt undecayed

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

While the installer planned to use the original boards as a substrate, they were too rotten to save, requiring the entire house to be re-sheathed before fiber cement could be installed.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 8, 2026

The protein, called Cystathionine γ-lyase, or CSE -- best known for generating hydrogen sulfide, the gas that smells like rotten eggs -- appears to play a key role in how memory forms.

From Science Daily • Apr. 8, 2026

Next, recognize some of the annoying parts of your job are out of your control—like a rotten boss—and stop fighting against it.

From Barron's • Feb. 7, 2026

This isn’t really about money, but does anyone else have rotten in-laws?

From MarketWatch • Dec. 29, 2025

Grigori’s words passed through my head: An eyesore of rotten wood, stacked haphazardly, without taste or culture.

From "The City Beautiful" by Aden Polydoros

Vocabulary lists containing rotten

Oh, No! Synonyms for "Bad"

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List 3

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So Bad: Synonyms for "Awful"

Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!