as in decomposed
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 festered
Venezuela’s oil infrastructure festered and crumbled.
—
David Goldman, CNN Money, 5 Jan. 2026
This arrangement would prove short-lived as well, as tensions festered between Burhan and Dagalo, who accused the military chief of consolidating undue power and promoting allied factions, including Islamist forces.
—Tom O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Nov. 2025
This incident festered throughout the game, as assistant coaches were trying to calm Michael Trigg down regarding the incident that had occurred just as Arizona State was kicking the ball off to Baylor.
—Trey Wallace Outkick, FOXNews.com, 8 Nov. 2025
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
Unresolved disputes have festered for years over ownership of various islands and features.
—Reuters, NBC news, 16 Sep. 2025
Then the bad luck and the bad blood festered.
—Thomas Drance, The Athletic, 8 Mar. 2025
Left unresolved, the conflict has festered and now metastasized into one of the largest, longest-running, and most complex armed conflicts in the world.
—Tommy Tuberville, Newsweek, 6 Mar. 2025
Unlike the first company, which thrived on directness and discipline, this organization operated in a space of cordial hypocrisy, where conflict was avoided at all costs and resentment festered.
—Margaret Graziano, Forbes, 5 Mar. 2025
David Goldman, CNN Money, 5 Jan. 2026
This arrangement would prove short-lived as well, as tensions festered between Burhan and Dagalo, who accused the military chief of consolidating undue power and promoting allied factions, including Islamist forces.
—Tom O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Nov. 2025
This incident festered throughout the game, as assistant coaches were trying to calm Michael Trigg down regarding the incident that had occurred just as Arizona State was kicking the ball off to Baylor.
—Trey Wallace Outkick, FOXNews.com, 8 Nov. 2025
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
Unresolved disputes have festered for years over ownership of various islands and features.
—Reuters, NBC news, 16 Sep. 2025
Then the bad luck and the bad blood festered.
—Thomas Drance, The Athletic, 8 Mar. 2025
Left unresolved, the conflict has festered and now metastasized into one of the largest, longest-running, and most complex armed conflicts in the world.
—Tommy Tuberville, Newsweek, 6 Mar. 2025
Unlike the first company, which thrived on directness and discipline, this organization operated in a space of cordial hypocrisy, where conflict was avoided at all costs and resentment festered.
—Margaret Graziano, Forbes, 5 Mar. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for festered
Verb
-
The first was that the obstacles were decomposed into cuboids.—
Jacek Krywko,
ArsTechnica,
25 Sep. 2025
-
Rivas’ cause and manner of death are still being determined by the medical examiner; the exam is taking longer than usual as the remains were severely decomposed.—
Kevin Dolak,
HollywoodReporter,
19 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Eberflus’ best intentions and vision for winning football disintegrated due in part to his team’s lack of discipline and the coaching staff’s inability to steer out of even the smallest skids.—
Dan Wiederer,
New York Times,
7 Jan. 2026
-
But relationships at the club have clearly disintegrated to the point where United is now looking for a new permanent manager.—
Ben Church,
CNN Money,
5 Jan. 2026
Verb
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According to the Riverfront Times, portions of his fingers had rotted away before anyone found him.—
Christina Coulter,
PEOPLE,
27 Sep. 2025
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When a small job of filling in a hole that a pet has dug or where a root has rotted, homeowners can easily handle this type of job themselves.—
Rebecca Jones,
Southern Living,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
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When excavations first began in the mid-1700s, everything beneath the ash layer was still preserved — but the top floors had decayed and disappeared.—
Ashley Strickland,
CNN Money,
7 Dec. 2025
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The color comes from the water soaking in peat, partially decayed plant matter that can be hundreds of years old.—
Sheeka Sanahori,
Outside,
11 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Festered.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/festered. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
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