as in to rot
to go through decomposition
a week after the battle the corpses of the fallen were still festering in the fields
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Recent Examples of fester
Graham Kates, CBS News, 9 Mar. 2026
The long-festering malaise erupted into street demonstrations last September, triggered by a social media ban, that brought thousands onto the streets, leading to clashes and fatalities that forced the resignation of Oli.
—CNN Money, 6 Mar. 2026
The tensions festering on platforms like Reddit and X erupted this month at a Frisco City Council meeting.
—Sarah Bahari, Dallas Morning News, 16 Feb. 2026
The camera’s gradual movement embodies festering paranoia, as the heavy strings by composer Marvin Miller break through lengthy, silent stretches in order to highlight dramatic peaks and valleys.
—Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 13 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for fester
Verb
But since then, the problem has continued to fester.
—Graham Kates, CBS News, 9 Mar. 2026
The long-festering malaise erupted into street demonstrations last September, triggered by a social media ban, that brought thousands onto the streets, leading to clashes and fatalities that forced the resignation of Oli.
—CNN Money, 6 Mar. 2026
The tensions festering on platforms like Reddit and X erupted this month at a Frisco City Council meeting.
—Sarah Bahari, Dallas Morning News, 16 Feb. 2026
The camera’s gradual movement embodies festering paranoia, as the heavy strings by composer Marvin Miller break through lengthy, silent stretches in order to highlight dramatic peaks and valleys.
—Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 13 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for fester
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fester
Verb
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Metal stakes resist rot but can rust if not stored properly.—
Jessica Safavimehr,
Southern Living,
1 Apr. 2026
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Routine gutter cleaning prevents water damage to your roof and siding, protects your foundation from pooling water, avoids mold, mildew and rot, and keeps pests like insects and rodents from nesting in the debris.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Kansas City Star,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
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That way, you aren’t left trying to break in a new pair of sandals while commuting, exploring a new city, or simply trying to walk from your car to the coffee shop without getting a fresh blister.—
Jessie Quinn,
StyleCaster,
26 Mar. 2026
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If the starting pitching stays healthy – and Greene’s surgery and Nick Lodolo’s and Brady Singer’s blister problems are early red flags – the Reds will be intriguing.—
Ken Rosenthal,
New York Times,
25 Mar. 2026
Verb
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After entering the home, officers found the decomposing body of an 81-year-old woman.—
Todd Feurer,
CBS News,
4 Apr. 2026
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Over time, the soil improved by decomposing lawn clippings is more absorbent and well-drained.—
Megan Hughes,
Better Homes & Gardens,
1 Apr. 2026
Noun
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After the tea had finished its boil, Meraj poured it out, straining the steaming, fragrant liquid into small cups.—
Nathan Heller,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
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For months — and in some cases years — boil water notices became part of daily life.—
Bridget Shirvell,
Hartford Courant,
29 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Or this object, known by the prosaic designation C/2026 A1 (MAPS), could totally disintegrate, vaporized by the fierce heat of our star.—
Tony Hoffman,
PC Magazine,
2 Apr. 2026
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Others, however, remain faint or even fragment or disintegrate entirely.—
Michael d'Estries,
Travel + Leisure,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Spoiler alert: The monster is definitely real, a lion-bear hybrid covered in disgusting bloody pustules.—
Katie Rife,
Entertainment Weekly,
28 Oct. 2025
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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
Verb
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Major dental work to remove her broken and decaying teeth, concentrated nutrition, antibiotics, vaccines, a spay surgery and an introduction to such simple luxuries as an indoor bed and gentle touch have all been part of Gertie’s healing.—
News Release,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
27 Mar. 2026
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Searching the room for clues, Hole spots a decaying hand arranged on the shelf with the thumb removed and the index finger pointing upwards — to the fifth floor.—
K.J. Yossman,
Variety,
27 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Never fret over a breakout again with these highly effective pimple patches.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
30 Mar. 2026
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In the rearview mirror, my reflection was dotted with fat, angry pimples, sweating and growing more aggressive in their itch.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
27 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Fester.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fester. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
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