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 bleeding
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
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
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 festering
ArsTechnica, 3 June 2026
The soot becomes dust that covers humans and animals, producing festering boils.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 31 Mar. 2026
This has been a festering issue not only for the industry but also for consumers.
—Iris Kwok, Los Angeles Times, 6 Mar. 2026
The far better response would be for the Nigerian authorities — both state and federal — to tackle the festering conditions that have created the insecurity.
—Obi Anyadike, semafor.com, 26 Jan. 2026
And nearly omnipresent throughout is the soundtrack by Daniel Blumberg, who brought the rhythms of industrialization and its festering underbelly to 2024’s The Brutalist and won an Oscar for it.
—Walden Green, Pitchfork, 22 Jan. 2026
There’s always been a festering envy for many years.
—Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 30 Oct. 2025
Either there will be sunlight or a scandal that keeps festering.
—Michelle Goldberg, Mercury News, 6 Sep. 2025
Instead, what has become a festering problem for the Los Angeles Dodgers right fielder came up yet again.
—Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2025
Matt Grobar, Deadline, 19 Nov. 2025
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
Trey Wallace Outkick, FOXNews.com, 25 May 2026
Six decades of Cuban history were festering under the country’s blanket of silence, giving us a collective identity crisis.
—Abraham Jiménez Enoa, The Dial, 19 May 2026
The high costs of doing business in California, festering labor issues, fierce competition and crime have hit the chain hard in Southern California.
—Itzel Luna, Los Angeles Times, 18 May 2026
Cantor Fitzgerald market strategist Eric Johnston remains tactically bullish but is citing some festering concerns around earnings quality and the sustainability of the AI bonanza.
—Michael Santoli, CNBC, 12 May 2026
But the explosive anger, vicious vendettas, and festering class resentments expressed so powerfully in season one remain.
—Natasha O'Neill, Vanity Fair, 16 Apr. 2026
The Season 2 ignition stems from long-festering issues and an uber quarrel that goes from insults to wine glasses thrown against the wall to Lindsay taking a golf club to beloved items in collector Josh's man-cave office.
—Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 15 Apr. 2026
This film has likely been festering a good while.
—Pete Hammond, Deadline, 14 Apr. 2026
Contreras has had a long-festering feud with the Brewers throughout his career, but the 24 hit-by-pitches in 121 games against the Brewers are the most hit-by-pitches by one team against any active player.
—Jen McCaffrey, New York Times, 7 Apr. 2026
Noun
Female screwworms lay hundreds of eggs in the wounds and openings of warm-blooded creatures, allowing their larvae to feast on the living animals, causing deep, festering, life-threatening wounds.
—ArsTechnica, 3 June 2026
The soot becomes dust that covers humans and animals, producing festering boils.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 31 Mar. 2026
This has been a festering issue not only for the industry but also for consumers.
—Iris Kwok, Los Angeles Times, 6 Mar. 2026
The far better response would be for the Nigerian authorities — both state and federal — to tackle the festering conditions that have created the insecurity.
—Obi Anyadike, semafor.com, 26 Jan. 2026
And nearly omnipresent throughout is the soundtrack by Daniel Blumberg, who brought the rhythms of industrialization and its festering underbelly to 2024’s The Brutalist and won an Oscar for it.
—Walden Green, Pitchfork, 22 Jan. 2026
There’s always been a festering envy for many years.
—Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 30 Oct. 2025
Either there will be sunlight or a scandal that keeps festering.
—Michelle Goldberg, Mercury News, 6 Sep. 2025
Instead, what has become a festering problem for the Los Angeles Dodgers right fielder came up yet again.
—Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2025
Adjective
In the Flesh, Sherman rips off the straitjacket after four seasons (and counting) on Saturday Night Live, unleashing a festering and hilarious hour of bodily fluids, open-wound confessionals, and jokes that will leave scars on your soul.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 19 Nov. 2025
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
Verb
But, the most intriguing part of the current situation presiding over the SEC is how many schools are actually on the same page about the economic structure that athletic directors and presidents are currently festering over.
—Trey Wallace Outkick, FOXNews.com, 25 May 2026
Six decades of Cuban history were festering under the country’s blanket of silence, giving us a collective identity crisis.
—Abraham Jiménez Enoa, The Dial, 19 May 2026
The high costs of doing business in California, festering labor issues, fierce competition and crime have hit the chain hard in Southern California.
—Itzel Luna, Los Angeles Times, 18 May 2026
Cantor Fitzgerald market strategist Eric Johnston remains tactically bullish but is citing some festering concerns around earnings quality and the sustainability of the AI bonanza.
—Michael Santoli, CNBC, 12 May 2026
But the explosive anger, vicious vendettas, and festering class resentments expressed so powerfully in season one remain.
—Natasha O'Neill, Vanity Fair, 16 Apr. 2026
The Season 2 ignition stems from long-festering issues and an uber quarrel that goes from insults to wine glasses thrown against the wall to Lindsay taking a golf club to beloved items in collector Josh's man-cave office.
—Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 15 Apr. 2026
This film has likely been festering a good while.
—Pete Hammond, Deadline, 14 Apr. 2026
Contreras has had a long-festering feud with the Brewers throughout his career, but the 24 hit-by-pitches in 121 games against the Brewers are the most hit-by-pitches by one team against any active player.
—Jen McCaffrey, New York Times, 7 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for festering
Noun
-
Store ripe produce in the refrigerator to slow down decomposition.—
Meghan Overdeep,
Southern Living,
16 June 2026
-
Apply thin, dry layers of clippings to prevent matting, promote decomposition, and avoid oxygen blockage.—
Nadia Hassani,
The Spruce,
11 June 2026
Adjective
-
Dickerson was the first physician to treat Mike Studeny, who was diagnosed with a non-bleeding stroke.—
Christa Swanson,
CBS News,
9 May 2026
-
In tests using mice, after surgical damage to the liver, AGCL was able to perform significantly better than other current anti-bleeding agents, with normal liver function returning just two weeks after its application.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
21 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The team aimed to fashion a rotting meat smell to recreate this slightly unhygienic oral arrangement.—
RJ Mackenzie,
Popular Science,
11 June 2026
-
Sanchez said the ceiling tiles in the jail are rotting, and there are doors that don’t lock properly.—
Alexandra Kukulka,
Chicago Tribune,
10 June 2026
Noun
-
The cynicism and paranoia of the '70s are ever-present, exploring America's moral decay amid troubled times.—
Eric Farwell,
Entertainment Weekly,
12 June 2026
-
Pratt had relentlessly focused on homelessness, crime and decay that's marred a city otherwise known for its culinary scene, postcard scenery and a global entertainment industry.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
9 June 2026
Adjective
-
Some people drove or walked by, staring, and a video of the cross-burning gained traction online.—
Hallie Golden,
Los Angeles Times,
10 June 2026
-
An important insider just shed light on one of the most burning questions in reality TV.—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
28 May 2026
Verb
-
Officials warned that decomposing fish could create potential health hazards for visitors entering the area or attempting to fish.—
Moná Thomas,
PEOPLE,
10 June 2026
-
That’s different from most other types of maggots, which feed on decomposing flesh.—
Janet Loehrke,
USA Today,
9 June 2026
Noun
-
Time in office breeds the same rot.—
Letters to the Editor,
The Orlando Sentinel,
13 June 2026
-
The detective has no illusions about the rot, misogyny and rancid behavior simmering within the police force.—
Aramide Tinubu,
Variety,
9 June 2026
Adjective
-
There’s no guarantee that Austin Jackson, who’s played just 32 games since 2022 and wasn’t a full participant in minicamp due to a nagging foot injury, lasts a full season.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
16 June 2026
-
His nagging hamstring strain prevents him pretty much only from running full speed, but that was enough to land him on the 10-day IL.—
Kevin Acee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
14 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Festering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/festering. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
