as in rotted
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 festered
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
Given our generally non-interventionist views on foreign policy and concerns about public spending, this editorial board does not mind rethinking the United States’ role in the Ukraine war, which has festered for three years.
—The Editorial Board, Orange County Register, 5 Mar. 2025
These are problems that have festered for decades, and no one expects a quick turnaround, but after all of the promises and all the money invested, people are tired of waiting for clear signs of progress.
—Steve Lopez, Los Angeles Times, 21 Dec. 2024
The issue has long festered and has the potential to collapse the government.
—Deborah Danan, Sun Sentinel, 2 Oct. 2024
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
Given our generally non-interventionist views on foreign policy and concerns about public spending, this editorial board does not mind rethinking the United States’ role in the Ukraine war, which has festered for three years.
—The Editorial Board, Orange County Register, 5 Mar. 2025
These are problems that have festered for decades, and no one expects a quick turnaround, but after all of the promises and all the money invested, people are tired of waiting for clear signs of progress.
—Steve Lopez, Los Angeles Times, 21 Dec. 2024
The issue has long festered and has the potential to collapse the government.
—Deborah Danan, Sun Sentinel, 2 Oct. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for festered
Verb
-
According to the Riverfront Times, portions of his fingers had rotted away before anyone found him.—
Christina Coulter,
PEOPLE,
27 Sep. 2025
-
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
-
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
-
When breaking down what the heck happened over the last four months, the first item on the list is the way New York’s starting rotation disintegrated.—
Tim Britton,
New York Times,
30 Sep. 2025
-
In 2014, the American team disintegrated under Tom Watson’s leadership at Gleneagles in Scotland.—
Don Riddell,
CNN Money,
25 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
His body has barely decayed, and his hair and teeth are still intact.—
Raquel Reichard,
Refinery29,
24 Sep. 2025
-
But Iran’s model decayed even in places where Israel and the United States had not attacked for some time.—
Graeme Wood,
The Atlantic,
2 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Festered.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/festered. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share