as in to rot
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 fester
Kevin McCormick, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 June 2025
At the same time, however, Bush sought to address some of the underlying issues — the racist history of the LAPD, chief among them — that festered for decades before exploding into molten rage.
—Mark Z. Barabak, Los Angeles Times, 9 June 2025
The wars in Ukraine and Gaza continue to fester like gaping wounds.
—Daniel Depetris, Chicago Tribune, 20 May 2025
In the summer of 1857, lower Manhattan festered with riots.
—Adam Iscoe, New Yorker, 14 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for fester
Verb
Smith's jab at the Commanders is going to fester for some time, as the two teams don't square off until the later stages of the regular season.
—Kevin McCormick, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 June 2025
At the same time, however, Bush sought to address some of the underlying issues — the racist history of the LAPD, chief among them — that festered for decades before exploding into molten rage.
—Mark Z. Barabak, Los Angeles Times, 9 June 2025
The wars in Ukraine and Gaza continue to fester like gaping wounds.
—Daniel Depetris, Chicago Tribune, 20 May 2025
In the summer of 1857, lower Manhattan festered with riots.
—Adam Iscoe, New Yorker, 14 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for fester
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fester
Verb
-
Food waste after a party or outdoor snacking session can begin to rot and smell, which won’t be pleasant for you or your neighbors.—
Hallie Milstein,
Southern Living,
14 July 2025
-
This vertical trellis reduces the likelihood of rotting, keeps produce away from certain garden pests, and can even increase sun exposure.—
Stephanie Osmanski,
Better Homes & Gardens,
9 July 2025
Noun
-
While some flats rub my heels and create blisters, the Cleo’s extra padding in the back prevented them from forming during my 8,000-step meander through Atlanta.—
Shea Simmons,
People.com,
24 July 2025
-
Let skins blister and blacken, while turning peppers with tongs, until they’re evenly blackened, about 5 minutes.—
The New York Times News Service Syndicate,
Denver Post,
22 July 2025
Verb
-
What then starts is a roughly 30-day process where the body naturally decomposes and becomes nutrient-rich dirt.—
Alex Derosier,
Twin Cities,
16 July 2025
-
An American man who vanished weeks ago in Turks and Caicos is still presumed missing, despite the fact that a decomposing male body was found in the island paradise 10 days ago.—
Peter D'Abrosca,
FOXNews.com,
16 July 2025
Noun
-
Then, using a kettle or just a pot on the stove, bring a few cups of water to a boil.—
Mary Catherine McAnnally Scott,
Southern Living,
5 July 2025
-
Kitty Cohen's Kitty Cohen's is doing their last free crawfish boil of the season on March 1.—
Ana Gutierrez,
Austin American Statesman,
2 July 2025
Verb
-
After that group disintegrated, the pair linked up with the guitarist and drummer of another band, Mythology — Iommi and Bill Ward — in late 1968 and formed a sextet called the Polka Tulk Blues Band.—
Kory Grow,
Rolling Stone,
22 July 2025
-
Substantial, but not so much so that the bun will disintegrate from rivers of juice.—
Li Goldstein,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
14 July 2025
Noun
-
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
-
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
Verb
-
However, when viruses were exposed to sunlight, many of them did not survive as long, decaying in under 24 hours.—
Jack Knudson,
Discover Magazine,
13 Mar. 2025
-
The result was not only environmental catastrophe but license for unchecked consumption of cheap plastic goods that can take a few minutes to use but hundreds of years to decay.—
Scott W. Stern,
The Atlantic,
10 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
The medications may bring previously unseen pimples to the surface of your skin.—
Laura Schober,
Health,
9 June 2025
-
The star ingredient, lady’s mantle, is packed with antioxidants to help calm inflammation (a major plus for breakouts and pimples), while ceramides work to repair the skin barrier and lock in moisture.—
Denise Primbet,
Glamour,
28 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Fester.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fester. Accessed 30 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share