as in blisters
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 pustules
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pustules
Noun
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Bioré is putting pimples in the penalty box this basketball season.—
Kaleigh Werner,
Footwear News,
29 Jan. 2026
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Here, argon-gas electrodes create a gentle current at up to 60 Hz, which helps to reduce the look of active pimples, calm visible redness, and even address the appearance of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.—
Deanna Pai,
Vogue,
20 Jan. 2026
Noun
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The party was complete with seafood boils, a brass band, and a photo booth.—
Ashlyn Robinette,
PEOPLE,
27 Jan. 2026
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The list of occasions can go on and on, ranging from universal (football and concerts) to local (ice fishing in northern Minnesota and crawfish boils in Baton Rouge).—
Rahul Goyal,
Fortune,
12 Jan. 2026
Noun
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An agent in Houston put a teenage citizen into a chokehold, wrapping his arm around the boy’s neck, choking him so hard that his neck had red welts hours later.—
Nicole Foy,
ProPublica,
13 Jan. 2026
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After landing at their final destination the next day, the lawsuit claims that the four were left with welts, lesions, and rashes.—
Dan Raby,
CBS News,
31 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pustules.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pustules. Accessed 11 Feb. 2026.
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