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break down, corrupt, decay, disintegrate, molder, putrefy, rot, spoil—more at DECAY

de·com·po·si·tion noun : the act or process of decomposing

Synonyms

breakdown, corruption, decay, putrefaction, rot, spoilage—more at CORRUPTION

de·com·press verb : to release from pressure or compression

— de·com·pres·sion noun

de·con·ges·tant noun : an agent that relieves congestion (as of mucous membranes)

de·con·struc·tion noun : the analysis of something (as language or literature) by the separation and individual examination of its basic elements

— de·con·struct verb

de·con·tam·i·nate verb : to rid of contamination (as radioactive material)

— de·con·tam·i·na·tion noun

de·con·trol verb : to end control of <~ prices>

— decontrol noun

de·cor or dé·cor noun : DECORATION; especially : the style and layout of interior furnishings

dec·o·rate verb -rat·ed; -rat·ing 1 : to furnish with something ornamental <~ a room>

2 : to award a mark of honor (as a medal) to

Synonyms

adorn, array, beautify, bedeck, deck, do, dress, embellish, enrich, garnish, grace, ornament, trim; also doll up, dress up, trick (out); brighten, freshen, spruce (up); boss, chase, emboss; embroider, figure, flounce, fringe, garland, hang, lace, wreathe; gild, paint; redecorate, redo

Antonyms

blemish, deface, disfigure, mar, scar, spoil

dec·o·ra·tion noun 1 : the act or process of decorating

2 : something that adorns, enriches, or beautifies : ORNAMENT

3 : a badge of honor

Synonyms

[2] adornment, caparison, embellishment, frill, garnish, ornament, trim; also finery, frippery; flounce, flourish, furbelow, ruffle; enhancement, enrichment, improvement; embroidery, fancywork; gilt, glitter; design, figure, pattern; furnishings, regalia, trappings

[3] award, distinction, honor, plume, prize—more at AWARD

dec·o·ra·tive adjective : serving to decorate : ORNAMENTAL

Synonyms

ornamental; also alluring, appealing, attractive, charming, delightful, glamorous, pleasing, prepossessing; beauteous, beautiful, bonny, comely, fair, gorgeous, handsome, lovely, pretty, stunning; detailed, elaborate, fancy, ornate

Antonyms

functional, utilitarian

dec·o·ra·tor noun : one that decorates; especially : a person who designs or executes interiors and their furnishings

dec·o·rous adjective : marked by propriety and good taste : PROPER

Synonyms

correct, decent, genteel, nice, polite, proper, respectable, seemly—more at PROPER

de·co·rum noun [ORIGIN: L]

1 : conformity to accepted standards of conduct

2 : ORDERLINESS

Synonyms

decency, form, propriety—more at DECENCY

1decoy noun [ORIGIN: prob. fr. D de kooi, lit., the cage]

1 : something that lures or entices; especially : an artificial bird used to attract live birds within shot

2 : something used to draw attention away from another

2decoy verb : to lure by or as if by a decoy : ENTICE

Synonyms

allure, beguile, entice, lead on, lure, seduce, tempt—more at LURE

1decrease verb de·creased; de·creas·ing : to grow or cause to grow less : DIMINISH

Synonyms

abate, de-escalate, decline, die, diminish, dwindle, ebb, fall, lessen, let up, lower, moderate, recede, relent, shrink, subside, taper, wane; also compress, condense, constrict, contract; evaporate, fade (away), give out, melt (away), peter (out), vanish; slacken, slow (down); alleviate, ease, relax; flag, sink, weaken; cave (in), collapse, deflate, give out

Antonyms

accumulate, balloon, build, burgeon, enlarge, escalate, expand, grow, increase, intensify, mount, mushroom, pick up, rise, snowball, soar, swell, wax

2decrease noun 1 : the process of decreasing

2 : an amount of diminution : REDUCTION

Synonyms

abatement, decline, decrement, diminution, drop, fall, loss, reduction, shrinkage; also dent, depression; slip, slump; curtailment, cut, cutback

Antonyms

boost, enlargement, gain, increase, increment, raise, rise

1decree noun 1 : an order usu. having the force of law : EDICT

2 : a judicial decision

Synonyms

behest, charge, command, commandment, dictate, direction,