ROTTEN Synonyms: 393 Similar and Opposite Words

rotten

adjective

ˈrä-tᵊn

Definition of rotten

as in spoiled

having undergone organic breakdown rotten, smelly meat that should have been thrown out

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in evil

not conforming to a high moral standard; morally unacceptable played a rotten trick and then lied about it

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in unpleasant

not giving pleasure to the mind or senses had a rotten time while on vacation

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in terrible

extremely unsatisfactory rotten housing conditions that no one should be forced to tolerate

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in poor

of low quality I can't do anything with these rotten tools

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of rotten If the produce’s skin is moldy, slimy, or rotten, it should be discarded regardless of type, as mold can penetrate beyond the visible surface. — Bridget Shirvell, Martha Stewart, 13 Sep. 2026 John Mozeliak — the interim general manager charged with repairing the rotten organization — did not take responsibility. — Ken Rosenthal, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026 Even plants get in on the mimicry fun, with some mimicking the small of rotten meat to attract flies and others using their petals to trick flies into pollinating on them. — Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 10 Sep. 2026 Its rotten fruits are evident in the current affordability crisis, weaponization of government against personal enemies, and an unwinnable conflict in Iran. — Michael E. Neagle, Hartford Courant, 8 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for rotten

Recent Examples of Synonyms for rotten

Adjective

Supermarket staffers were confronted by pools of water beneath freezers and spoiled produce earlier this week after hackers took control of refrigerators in hundreds of grocery stores across France.

— Sana Noor Haq, CNN Money, 14 Oct. 2026
The Paris prosecutor’s office said Tuesday that its cybercrime unit was investigating the large-scale attack, including the extent of damage caused by spoiled food and reports of fires.

— Angela Charlton, Los Angeles Times, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of spoiled

Adjective

What Baldwin is lamenting is our tendency to fall back on binaries — right and wrong, good and evil — rather than to struggle with complexity.

— David L. Ulin, Los Angeles Times, 20 Oct. 2026
It's based on a Russian fairy tale called the Firebird, which is about a young prince who rescues a coterie of princesses from an evil sorcerer.

— Libby Smith, CBS News, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of evil

Adjective

From a computational perspective, Friston argues, attempting to reduce uncertainty—basically, working to avoid unpleasant surprises—is the brain’s primary goal.

— Maia Szalavitz, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026
Adapted by Duffield and Daniel Kraus from Kraus’ 2023 novel, this spectacularly unpleasant underwater adventure delivers on its premise with effects that are graphic, fascinating, and occasionally beautiful.

— Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of unpleasant

Adjective

The second storyline takes place in 2026 and concerns the murder of none other than Hal Jordan, who returned to Rushville as a social pariah after the terrible events that transpired 10 years before.

— Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 19 Oct. 2026
The Eagles are struggling, the Cowboys look terrible, and the Giants don’t have a quarterback.

— OutKick, FOXNews.com, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of terrible

Adjective

Measles usually kills two or three people in every 1,000 cases, the WHO says, but the disease can be more deadly in poorer nations because of factors such as malnutrition.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 18 Oct. 2026
That receiver sends that poor defender into next week at the pylon.

— Zach Dean OutKick, FOXNews.com, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of poor

Adjective

And in a world increasingly populated by people who are absolutely certain that everyone who disagrees with them is either ignorant or immoral, our universities could use considerably more of all three.

— Rabbi Bruce D. Forman, Sun Sentinel, 13 Oct. 2026
Central to the exhibition is the tension between the honorable and the immoral, the appealing and the revolting.

— News Desk, Artforum, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of immoral

Adjective

Bajaria may also have hit thin ice with Sarandos after the streamer won just 16 Primetime Emmy Awards this year — its worst showing since 2016 and down from 30 in 2025.

— Matt Donnelly, Variety, 16 Oct. 2026
The size of the boat, the distance from the tow boat's berth and how bad the boat is stuck will all factor into the final invoice.

— Joe Kinsey OutKick, FOXNews.com, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of bad

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rotted

rotten

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“Rotten.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rotten. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of rotten

adjective

Example Sentences

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