as in to rot
to go through decomposition
a week after the battle the corpses of the fallen were still festering in the fields
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 fester
Mankaprr Conteh, Rolling Stone, 16 Oct. 2025
Without nerve sensation, the patients weren’t aware of festering ulcers and infections, which therefore went untreated until amputation was the only option.
—Carrie Arnold, Scientific American, 14 Oct. 2025
The sensational turn in the case fueled breathless news coverage as the public became hungry for any revelation about the brothers’ motives or the dark secrets that had been festering inside the Menendez family home.
—Elizabeth Wolfe, CNN Money, 12 Oct. 2025
There have been problems festering — especially with a lackluster, inefficient offense.
—Zach Berman, New York Times, 10 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fester
Verb
The unexpected performance was doubly surprising as Pluto and YKNiece have spoken publicly about the tension between them that has festered since their breakout hit gained ground this year.
—Mankaprr Conteh, Rolling Stone, 16 Oct. 2025
Without nerve sensation, the patients weren’t aware of festering ulcers and infections, which therefore went untreated until amputation was the only option.
—Carrie Arnold, Scientific American, 14 Oct. 2025
The sensational turn in the case fueled breathless news coverage as the public became hungry for any revelation about the brothers’ motives or the dark secrets that had been festering inside the Menendez family home.
—Elizabeth Wolfe, CNN Money, 12 Oct. 2025
There have been problems festering — especially with a lackluster, inefficient offense.
—Zach Berman, New York Times, 10 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fester
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fester
Verb
-
Good drainage also helps prevent crown rot in winter.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
31 Oct. 2025
-
The rotting corpse flower’s putrid stench cast a spell Thursday across Roseville High School’s campus.—
Ishani Desai,
Sacbee.com,
31 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Most patients have mild symptoms for seven to 10 days, which can include fever, sore throat, painful mouth sores that blister and a rash on the hands and feet, the CDC said.—
Mary Kekatos,
ABC News,
22 Oct. 2025
-
Cook, undisturbed, until the tomatoes start to blister on the bottom.—
Robin Miller,
AZCentral.com,
3 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
In contrast to polluting polyester, these fibers are biodegradable and will naturally decompose after disposal.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
4 Nov. 2025
-
Leaves need oxygen to properly decompose, and leaves buried in landfills do not have access to any oxygen, according to the National Wildlife Federation.—
Karl Schneider,
IndyStar,
3 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Tensions between the world’s two economic superpowers have been on a boil this year.—
Kevin Breuninger,Anniek Bao,Evelyn Cheng,
CNBC,
30 Oct. 2025
-
Bring stock or broth to a boil in a 5-quart saucepan; stir in rice and cook, covered, at a gentle simmer, for about 15 minutes until the rice is tender.—
Cathy Thomas,
Oc Register,
28 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Ethan Hawke stars as Lorenz Hart of legendary songsmiths Rodgers & Hart as the prolific partnership disintegrates to his great dismay.—
Jill Goldsmith,
Deadline,
17 Oct. 2025
-
This difference sounds small, but preventing a few tenths of a degree of warming could keep polar ice caps from completely disintegrating, coral reefs from collapsing and other tipping points from triggering.—
Syris Valentine,
Scientific American,
16 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
In fact, one of the most common triggers of rosacea, which is characterized by flushing, swelling, spider veins, papules, and pustules, is exposure to sunlight.—
Sherri Gordon,
Health,
15 Sep. 2025
-
Research suggests that pimple patches aren't effective on cystic acne, pustules, or blackheads.—
Cristina Mutchler,
Verywell Health,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The leather on the shoes appears to be slightly decayed, worn, cracked and brittle, while the laces and midsole are stained, giving a distressed, lived-in effect.—
Karla Rodriguez,
Footwear News,
27 Oct. 2025
-
This approach blends technical discipline, probabilistic pricing and time decay into a cohesive framework.—
Michael Khouw,
CNBC,
27 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Adult acne is characterized by red, angry pimples that typically occur along the lower third of the face around the jawline.—
Ariana Yaptangco,
Glamour,
17 Oct. 2025
-
However, the team behind a small study published in the journal ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces, claim to have developed a two-step pimple patch that actually works.—
Margherita Bassi,
Popular Science,
24 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Fester.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fester. Accessed 8 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share