as in blister
a small, inflamed swelling of the skin
smallpox's characteristic pustules typically resulted in permanent scarring for survivors of the dreaded disease
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Recent Examples of pustule
Folliculitis refers to the bacterial or fungal infection of the hair follicle that can lead to redness or pustules centered around the hair follicle.
—
Audrey Noble, Vogue, 1 July 2025
Their venom, similar to a bee’s or wasp’s, results in a painful, itchy pustule or blister on the skin.
—Gareth McGrath, USA Today, 28 June 2025
Later in the growing season, rust pustules on the underside of the leaf can be orange and black.
—Rita Perwich, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 June 2025
The man in the white house sits, naked and obscene, a pustule of ego, in the harsh light, a man whose grasp exceeded his understanding, because his understanding was dulled by indulgence.
—Rebecca Solnit
may 31, Literary Hub, 31 May 2024
See All Example Sentences for pustule
Audrey Noble, Vogue, 1 July 2025
Their venom, similar to a bee’s or wasp’s, results in a painful, itchy pustule or blister on the skin.
—Gareth McGrath, USA Today, 28 June 2025
Later in the growing season, rust pustules on the underside of the leaf can be orange and black.
—Rita Perwich, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 June 2025
The man in the white house sits, naked and obscene, a pustule of ego, in the harsh light, a man whose grasp exceeded his understanding, because his understanding was dulled by indulgence.
—Rebecca Solnit
may 31, Literary Hub, 31 May 2024
See All Example Sentences for pustule
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pustule
Noun
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These hydrocolloid gel bandages seal the blister and provide cushioning against further friction, which will get your kids back in the mood to meet Minnie Mouse super fast.—
Terri Peters,
Parents,
6 Mar. 2026
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Crews have been deployed to spray disinfectant on vehicles entering the exclusion zone to avoid any possible transfer of the highly-contagious viral disease that induces fever and blister-like sores in the mouth, drastically reduces milk production and leaves animals weakened.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
25 Feb. 2026
Noun
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May Be Useful in Acne Treatment People with acne often have lowered serum zinc levels, and both oral and topical zinc have been found to reduce the prevalence of inflammatory papules, both when used as monotherapy and as a supplemental therapy.5 4.—
Jamie Johnson,
Verywell Health,
6 Jan. 2026
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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
Noun
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Three decades later, that secret arrived on American shores like a tsunami—sheet masks, snail mucin, toner pads, pimple patches lining every retail shelf.—
David Yi,
Allure,
23 Feb. 2026
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Spot treatments for pimples are one of the best ways to target breakouts.—
Jessie Quinn,
StyleCaster,
20 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Residents have been under a boil water advisory since the break caused a loss of pressure in the water system.—
Christa Swanson,
CBS News,
15 Mar. 2026
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Meanwhile, bring a large pot of water to a boil.—
Erin Merhar,
Southern Living,
15 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The satisfying pock of paddle on ball, battling through long rallies, and breaking into dance moves with Chrissy after a perfect slam.—
Gali Kronenberg,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Mar. 2026
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Unlike the traditional hardbat, the sponge rubber silenced the pock of the ball hitting the racket.—
Elizabeth Blair,
NPR,
25 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pustule.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pustule. Accessed 17 Mar. 2026.
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