festering

1 of 2

adjective

fes·​ter·​ing ˈfe-st(ə-)riŋ 

1

: contaminated by an infective agent (such as a bacterium) and producing pus

a festering wound

But if the patient can manage it, the whirlpool is a dandy way to handle festering bedsores.

—Paul G. Donohue

2

a

: persisting and growing increasingly bitter over time

festering resentment

… comedy that comes from a pit of festering hatred …

—Robert Brustein

b

: persistently producing bad or unhealthy effects

Four hundred yards to the west, between the schoolhouse and the mountain, lay a festering center of sin, a bootleg whiskey still operated by the celebrated anti-Prohibition guerilla Sam Reever.

—Russell Baker

festering

2 of 2

present participle of fester entry 1

Examples of festering in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

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

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1563, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for festering

• pestering
• sequestering