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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.

Sure, it’s easy to loathe New England fans, who are spoiled rotten after six Super Bowls, and need another trophy in the way a cat needs sunglasses.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 8, 2026

Jerry uses his “you-betcha” Midwestern accent to disguise his discontent, but beneath his charlatan smile lurks a rotten, greedy soul.

From Salon • Feb. 7, 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

The first of those never recovered from a rotten start, when they collected two points from their opening seven games.

From BBC • Jan. 12, 2026

There was always something rotten about Pamela Bynes!

From "Linked" by Gordon Korman

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.