festered; festering
ˈfe-st(ə-)riŋ 
1
: to generate pus
The wound became inflamed and festered.
3
a
: to cause increasing poisoning, irritation, or bitterness : rankle
dissent festered unchecked
His resentment festered for years.
b
: to undergo or exist in a state of progressive deterioration
allowed slums to fester
: to make inflamed or corrupt
: a suppurating sore : pustule
Did you know?
Both noun and verb forms of the English word fester come from the Latin noun fistula, meaning “pipe” or, less pleasantly, “fistulous ulcer.” Accordingly, the noun fester refers to a sore that forms or discharges pus, while the oldest sense of the verb fester means “to generate pus.” A boil, for example, is a festering infection of a hair follicle. Over time, the verb—as many words do—picked up a figurative sense, and fester began to be used not only for the worsening of a wound but for a worsening state, situation, etc.
Examples of fester in a Sentence
Verb
His wounds festered for days before he got medical attention.
His feelings of resentment have festered for years.
We should deal with these problems now instead of allowing them to fester.
Noun
pus oozed out of the fester
Recent Examples on the Web
Griff Griffin, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 May 2025
The festering issue has spurred three wars between the countries and a de facto border called the Line of Control divides it between New Delhi and Islamabad.
—Sophia Saifi, CNN Money, 24 Apr. 2025
Those who experienced the harassment firsthand warned that if not taken seriously, the behaviors underlying Gamergate would fester.
—Harmeet Kaur, CNN, 23 Mar. 2025
As the riots festered, Ayyub, who was then nineteen, decided to help.
—Andrew Marantz, New Yorker, 28 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fester
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Verb
One stage is set in a cavernous chest cavity with a festering, skyscraper-sized heart at its centre.
—Griff Griffin, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 May 2025
The festering issue has spurred three wars between the countries and a de facto border called the Line of Control divides it between New Delhi and Islamabad.
—Sophia Saifi, CNN Money, 24 Apr. 2025
Those who experienced the harassment firsthand warned that if not taken seriously, the behaviors underlying Gamergate would fester.
—Harmeet Kaur, CNN, 23 Mar. 2025
As the riots festered, Ayyub, who was then nineteen, decided to help.
—Andrew Marantz, New Yorker, 28 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fester
Cite this Entry
“Fester.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fester. Accessed 18 May. 2025.
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