as in to rot
to go through decomposition
a week after the battle the corpses of the fallen were still festering in the fields
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Recent Examples of fester
Jessica Mathews, Fortune, 3 Apr. 2026
For years, this debate between stricter codes and affordable housing festered behind the scenes, including at the obscure International Code Council, which brings together government officials, contractors, appliance makers and others to lay the groundwork for model codes.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 30 Mar. 2026
For the families of the disappeared, the festering grief from not knowing the fate of a son, brother or father was compounded by threats from authorities displeased with anyone scrutinizing their behavior.
—Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 30 Mar. 2026
The controversy stretches back years, but festered under ex-President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, who was in office from 2018-2024.
—ABC News, 27 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for fester
Verb
But the outcry marked a tidal shift in sentiment and exposed long-festering resentments.
—Jessica Mathews, Fortune, 3 Apr. 2026
For years, this debate between stricter codes and affordable housing festered behind the scenes, including at the obscure International Code Council, which brings together government officials, contractors, appliance makers and others to lay the groundwork for model codes.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 30 Mar. 2026
For the families of the disappeared, the festering grief from not knowing the fate of a son, brother or father was compounded by threats from authorities displeased with anyone scrutinizing their behavior.
—Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 30 Mar. 2026
The controversy stretches back years, but festered under ex-President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, who was in office from 2018-2024.
—ABC News, 27 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for fester
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fester
Verb
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This could explain why the scent of cigarette smoke and rotting fish had an impact on people who were snoozing, but not on people who were awake.—
Shayla Love,
New Yorker,
1 May 2026
-
Ventilation holes allow air to circulate to prevent mold or rot.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
30 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Signs and symptoms include pain, itching or skin tingling, painful rash of blister-like sores, fever, headache, chills, and upset stomach.—
Taylor Ardrey,
USA Today,
29 Apr. 2026
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Plus, the sockliner provides a soft, sweat-wicking barrier to keep me comfortable and blister-free on my most active days.—
Kayla Kitts,
Travel + Leisure,
19 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Sites that preserve soft-bodied organisms are even rarer because soft tissues decompose more easily, making these places especially useful for piecing together prehistoric ecosystems.—
Marlowe Starling,
Quanta Magazine,
1 May 2026
-
The idea is to let the body decompose naturally.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
1 May 2026
Noun
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What to eat, drink and do 🌮 A Derby party, Cinco de Mayo feasts and a crawfish boil headline May’s best food events.—
AJ Willingham,
AJC.com,
1 May 2026
-
In a 12-inch Dutch oven or deep skillet with a lid, bring about 1 inch of water to a boil.—
Sarah Martens,
Better Homes & Gardens,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Indeed, with Iran’s refusal to end hostilities on unfavorable terms and willingness to fight to the end, alongside Israel’s belligerence and desire to disintegrate the Iranian state, risks of further escalation remain.—
Alexander Langlois,
Oc Register,
22 Apr. 2026
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Late Saturday, rescue crews were trying to determine whether the ValuJet aircraft disintegrated on impact or partially lodged itself in the soft, marshy terrain of the Everglades.—
Miami Herald Archives,
Miami Herald,
21 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Spoiler alert: The monster is definitely real, a lion-bear hybrid covered in disgusting bloody pustules.—
Katie Rife,
Entertainment Weekly,
28 Oct. 2025
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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
Verb
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Researchers stressed that living plastics can function when the spores are dormant and decay when the spores are activated.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
3 May 2026
-
This includes some that pass through each other like ghosts, some that interact with each other, exchanging energy, and others that decay into smaller particles, releasing a tiny bit of energy in the process.—
Robert Lea,
Space.com,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Bieber headlined Coachella both weekends, while Hailey, 29, hosted a Rhode activation event during the festival shortly after collaborating with her husband on the brand's new hydrocolloid pimple stickers.—
Angelique Brenes,
PEOPLE,
25 Apr. 2026
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Founded by Julie Schott, a serial founder who’s also behind the pimple-patch brand Starface, Julie brought a Gen Z sensibility to the emergency contraception category.—
Emma Hinchliffe,
Fortune,
13 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Fester.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fester. Accessed 7 May. 2026.
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