Select the most appropriate ANTONYM of the given word.

Decay

Growth

The most appropriate antonym of the word decay is growth.

• Decay means "to deteriorate or decompose gradually."
• Growth means "the process of increasing in size or extent."

The other words do not have the same meaning as decay, so they are not its antonyms.

• Disintegrate means "to break up into small pieces."
• Spoilage means "the process of becoming spoiled or unfit for use."
• Breakdown means "the failure of something to function properly."