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
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
Beren Cross, The Athletic, 16 Feb. 2025
Even after the American War for Independence officially ended, unresolved disputes about territorial borders, unpaid debts, and seizures of property continued to fester between the United States and Great Britain, poisoning their relations.
—Tom Bell, Oc Register, 12 Apr. 2025
Even after the American War for Independence officially ended, unresolved disputes about territorial borders, unpaid debts and seizures of property continued to fester between the United States and Great Britain, poisoning their relations.
—Tom Bell, Oc Register, 12 Apr. 2025
Accusations of ego and malice festered behind the scenes.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 11 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fester
Verb
The anxiety of an impending loss was even allowed to fester until the 80th minute.
—Beren Cross, The Athletic, 16 Feb. 2025
Even after the American War for Independence officially ended, unresolved disputes about territorial borders, unpaid debts, and seizures of property continued to fester between the United States and Great Britain, poisoning their relations.
—Tom Bell, Oc Register, 12 Apr. 2025
Even after the American War for Independence officially ended, unresolved disputes about territorial borders, unpaid debts and seizures of property continued to fester between the United States and Great Britain, poisoning their relations.
—Tom Bell, Oc Register, 12 Apr. 2025
Accusations of ego and malice festered behind the scenes.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 11 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fester
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fester
Noun
-
After several hours, blisters will develop where the bumps were located.—
Evan Moore,
Charlotte Observer,
31 Mar. 2025
-
The virus can transmit through direct contact with fluid from shingles blisters or rash.—
Adrianna Rodriguez,
USA TODAY,
24 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Tulips bulbs left in the ground will rot unless they are planted in an area with good drainage.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
9 Apr. 2025
-
While rotting wood needs replacement, the car’s steel frame remains in good condition due to decades of indoor storage, Phalon said.—
David M. Zimmer,
USA Today,
8 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Give the water a handful of salt, and then bring to a boil on the stove.—
Kate Bradshaw,
Mercury News,
7 Apr. 2025
-
Active time: 5 minutes Total time: 20 minutes Yield: 2 servings 3 cups water 1 stale loaf of bread a generous fistful of fresh thyme sprigs extra virgin olive oil 2 eggs salt ground black pepper Pour 3 cups of water into a small pot and bring to a boil on medium high.—
Vicky Hallett,
NPR,
1 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Authorities allege the teenager fatally shot the couple at their home outside Milwaukee in February and lived with the decomposing bodies for weeks before fleeing with $14,000 cash, passports and the family dog.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
13 Apr. 2025
-
The clippings quickly decompose and return valuable nutrients to the soil.—
Megan Hughes,
Better Homes & Gardens,
13 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Its venomous sting causes pustules and allergic reactions and is capable of killing a human.—
Jack Guy,
CNN,
24 Mar. 2025
-
Victims develop high fevers, deep rashes and oozing pustules.—
William J. Broad,
New York Times,
12 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
The top courses of the concrete block had disintegrated, and were nothing more than sand and small stones.—
Tim Carter,
Hartford Courant,
15 Mar. 2025
-
Players like Bobby Bonilla, George Foster, Vince Coleman, Jason Bay, Justin Verlander, Kaz Matsui, and others, came to Queens with high hopes that eventually disintegrated.—
Bob Raissman,
New York Daily News,
15 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Concealer can be your best friend in your makeup kit, instantly erasing pores, pimples, scars, and more.—
Petra Guglielmetti,
Glamour,
2 Apr. 2025
-
Resist the urge to pick at bacne breakouts, as popping pimples worsens acne.—
Cristina Mutchler,
Verywell Health,
13 Mar. 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
Cite this Entry
“Fester.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fester. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share