as in decomposition
the process by which dead organic matter separates into simpler substances
the ghastly festering of the corpses abandoned on the battlefield
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in rotting
to go through decomposition
a week after the battle the corpses of the fallen were still festering in the fields
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in bleeding
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of festering
Popular Mechanics, 14 Apr. 2023
For the moment at least, embassies remain open in both capitals despite a festering but unrelated diplomatic spat that has seen the two sides expel dozens of diplomats since 2017.
—chicagotribune.com, 3 Mar. 2022
Noun
Adding to the festering sense of uncertainty about the enterprise is the principal characters’ embrace of the supernatural.
—Popular Mechanics, 14 Apr. 2023
For the moment at least, embassies remain open in both capitals despite a festering but unrelated diplomatic spat that has seen the two sides expel dozens of diplomats since 2017.
—chicagotribune.com, 3 Mar. 2022
Recent Examples of Synonyms for festering
Verb
-
Then came the yacht’s renaissance by her father, who saw beauty and sailing prowess inside a rotting hull.—
Tristan Rutherford,
Robb Report,
3 Jan. 2025
-
Rotting Flesh and the Skeleton Underneath Eggers wanted the audience almost to smell the rotting flesh when the sarcophagus is flipped open.—
Chris O'Falt,
IndieWire,
2 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
It was originally added to water systems to combat tooth decay but more recently has been scrutinized by critics citing studies that elevated exposure could reduce IQ levels in children.—
Jasmine Laws,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 July 2025
-
In a world where sugar consumption continues to rise, dentists are struggling to keep up with demand; by some estimates, nearly 3.5 billion people worldwide are now struggling with oral diseases and tooth decay.—
David Prosser,
Forbes.com,
9 July 2025
Adjective
-
Tom Cruise has been awarded the Guinness World Record for most burning parachute jumps by an individual, netting a whopping 16 flaming jumps while filming Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning.—
Wesley Stenzel,
EW.com,
5 June 2025
-
The action star, 62, now has a Guinness World Records title for most burning parachute jumps by an individual, the organization announced Thursday, June 5.—
Jack Smart,
People.com,
5 June 2025
Noun
-
Water consistently at the base using a soaker hose to prevent diseases like blossom-end rot and foliar infections.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
4 July 2025
-
This reflects the idea of decay or rot associated with damp, earthy conditions.—
Erik Kain,
Forbes.com,
30 June 2025
Verb
-
Is dark matter decaying, or is something decaying into dark matter?—
Big Think,
Big Think,
8 Apr. 2025
-
What fill out the episodes instead are extended zombie-battle scenes and long, silent sequences where people explore gorgeously decaying spaces.—
Judy Berman,
Time,
7 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
That nagging pit in her stomach, that anxiety — not just hers but the larger LGBTQ+ community in general — were always front and center in her mind.—
Michael James Rocha,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
11 July 2025
-
Breslow acknowledged pitchers are always dealing with some small nagging injury in a 162-game schedule.—
Jen McCaffrey,
New York Times,
8 July 2025
Verb
-
Hoss — who’s sensual and full of sad, smiling bewilderment without ever disintegrating into ditziness — makes a mature, deeply poignant Ranevskaya.—
Sara Holdren,
Vulture,
4 Apr. 2025
-
Marvel at the firework display of disintegrating foes; revel in your might as a pair of badass demon slayers.—
Lewis Gordon,
Vulture,
19 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
The direct cost of the tariffs on aerospace is estimated to be as high as $5 Billion, but the real cost is far more pernicious.—
Jerrold Lundquist,
Forbes.com,
30 Mar. 2025
-
Many scandals arise from the occasion of these activities, and adulteries and other outrageous crimes are committed as a clear offence to God, a very serious danger to the souls of those committing them, and a pernicious example to others.—
The Editors,
JSTOR Daily,
27 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Festering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/festering. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
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