Definition

1. Verb (intransitive):

   • To decay or rot, especially organic matter, producing a foul or offensive smell: The process of decomposition where organic substances break down, often accompanied by a strong, unpleasant odor.
   • To become morally corrupt or degenerate: To undergo a process of moral decay or depravity (a figurative, less common usage).

2. Verb (transitive):

   • To cause to rot or decay; to make putrid: To induce the process of decomposition in something (an archaic or rare usage).

Examples of Usage

• Intransitive Verb:
  • The forgotten meat in the refrigerator began to putrefy, filling the kitchen with a terrible stench.
  • If you leave organic waste in a warm, damp place, it will quickly putrefy.
• Transitive Verb (rare):
  • The humid climate can putrefy foodstuffs with alarming speed.

Advanced Usage

• "to putrefy into": to decay and turn into a specific state.
  • The fallen leaves slowly putrefied into a rich, dark compost.
• Used in scientific or formal contexts to describe biological decomposition.
  • The researchers studied how different bacteria cause flesh to putrefy.

Variants and Related Words

• Putrefaction (n): The process of decaying or rotting, especially with the production of a foul smell.
  • The putrefaction of the carcass attracted scavengers.
• Putrefactive (adj): Causing or relating to putrefaction.
  • Putrefactive bacteria are responsible for the breakdown.
• Putrid (adj): In a state of decay and emitting a foul smell; morally corrupt.
  • The putrid smell was overwhelming.

Synonyms

• Decompose: To decay, to break down into simpler components.
• Rot: To decay or decompose through the action of bacteria and fungi.
• Spoil: (Of food) to become unfit for eating; to decay.
• Fester: To become septic; to form pus; also used figuratively for worsening feelings.

Antonyms

• Preserve: To maintain in an unchanged or perfect condition; to prevent decay.
• Fresh: Newly made or obtained; not spoiled or decayed.

Related Phrases/Idioms

• While there are no common idioms with "putrefy," the concept is central to phrases like:
  • A putrefying mess: Used literally for something rotting, or figuratively for a situation that is morally corrupt and deteriorating.

    • The scandal was a putrefying mess that infected the entire administration.

Verb

1. become putrid; decay with an offensive smell
   • organic matter putrefies