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Showing results for rotten.
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

Under President Xi Jinping, an anti-corruption crackdown has swept through Chinese football in recent years, exposing the rotten state of the professional game.

From Barron's • Jan. 29, 2026

Strikingly, “No Other Choice” plays like a melding of his different eras, once again diving into his characters’ rotten souls while flexing sumptuous craft and bitter commentary.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 6, 2026

Why should we listen to someone rotten enough to do what Pamela did?

From "Linked" by Gordon Korman

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