as in decomposition
the process by which dead organic matter separates into simpler substances
the ghastly festering of the corpses abandoned on the battlefield
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in bleeding
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
as in rotting
to go through decomposition
a week after the battle the corpses of the fallen were still festering in the fields
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of festering
Encyclopedia Britannica, 31 Mar. 2026
This has been a festering issue not only for the industry but also for consumers.
—Iris Kwok, Los Angeles Times, 6 Mar. 2026
The far better response would be for the Nigerian authorities — both state and federal — to tackle the festering conditions that have created the insecurity.
—Obi Anyadike, semafor.com, 26 Jan. 2026
And nearly omnipresent throughout is the soundtrack by Daniel Blumberg, who brought the rhythms of industrialization and its festering underbelly to 2024’s The Brutalist and won an Oscar for it.
—Walden Green, Pitchfork, 22 Jan. 2026
There’s always been a festering envy for many years.
—Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 30 Oct. 2025
Either there will be sunlight or a scandal that keeps festering.
—Michelle Goldberg, Mercury News, 6 Sep. 2025
Instead, what has become a festering problem for the Los Angeles Dodgers right fielder came up yet again.
—Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2025
Is corruption festering in the apparently homogeneous suburb?
—Richard Brody, New Yorker, 8 Aug. 2025
Matt Grobar, Deadline, 19 Nov. 2025
Adding to the festering sense of uncertainty about the enterprise is the principal characters’ embrace of the supernatural.
—Popular Mechanics, 14 Apr. 2023
For the moment at least, embassies remain open in both capitals despite a festering but unrelated diplomatic spat that has seen the two sides expel dozens of diplomats since 2017.
—chicagotribune.com, 3 Mar. 2022
Michael Santoli, CNBC, 12 May 2026
But the explosive anger, vicious vendettas, and festering class resentments expressed so powerfully in season one remain.
—Natasha O'Neill, Vanity Fair, 16 Apr. 2026
The Season 2 ignition stems from long-festering issues and an uber quarrel that goes from insults to wine glasses thrown against the wall to Lindsay taking a golf club to beloved items in collector Josh's man-cave office.
—Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 15 Apr. 2026
This film has likely been festering a good while.
—Pete Hammond, Deadline, 14 Apr. 2026
Contreras has had a long-festering feud with the Brewers throughout his career, but the 24 hit-by-pitches in 121 games against the Brewers are the most hit-by-pitches by one team against any active player.
—Jen McCaffrey, New York Times, 7 Apr. 2026
But the outcry marked a tidal shift in sentiment and exposed long-festering resentments.
—Jessica Mathews, Fortune, 3 Apr. 2026
For the families of the disappeared, the festering grief from not knowing the fate of a son, brother or father was compounded by threats from authorities displeased with anyone scrutinizing their behavior.
—Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 30 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
Noun
The soot becomes dust that covers humans and animals, producing festering boils.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 31 Mar. 2026
This has been a festering issue not only for the industry but also for consumers.
—Iris Kwok, Los Angeles Times, 6 Mar. 2026
The far better response would be for the Nigerian authorities — both state and federal — to tackle the festering conditions that have created the insecurity.
—Obi Anyadike, semafor.com, 26 Jan. 2026
And nearly omnipresent throughout is the soundtrack by Daniel Blumberg, who brought the rhythms of industrialization and its festering underbelly to 2024’s The Brutalist and won an Oscar for it.
—Walden Green, Pitchfork, 22 Jan. 2026
There’s always been a festering envy for many years.
—Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 30 Oct. 2025
Either there will be sunlight or a scandal that keeps festering.
—Michelle Goldberg, Mercury News, 6 Sep. 2025
Instead, what has become a festering problem for the Los Angeles Dodgers right fielder came up yet again.
—Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2025
Is corruption festering in the apparently homogeneous suburb?
—Richard Brody, New Yorker, 8 Aug. 2025
Adjective
In the Flesh, Sherman rips off the straitjacket after four seasons (and counting) on Saturday Night Live, unleashing a festering and hilarious hour of bodily fluids, open-wound confessionals, and jokes that will leave scars on your soul.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 19 Nov. 2025
Adding to the festering sense of uncertainty about the enterprise is the principal characters’ embrace of the supernatural.
—Popular Mechanics, 14 Apr. 2023
For the moment at least, embassies remain open in both capitals despite a festering but unrelated diplomatic spat that has seen the two sides expel dozens of diplomats since 2017.
—chicagotribune.com, 3 Mar. 2022
Verb
Cantor Fitzgerald market strategist Eric Johnston remains tactically bullish but is citing some festering concerns around earnings quality and the sustainability of the AI bonanza.
—Michael Santoli, CNBC, 12 May 2026
But the explosive anger, vicious vendettas, and festering class resentments expressed so powerfully in season one remain.
—Natasha O'Neill, Vanity Fair, 16 Apr. 2026
The Season 2 ignition stems from long-festering issues and an uber quarrel that goes from insults to wine glasses thrown against the wall to Lindsay taking a golf club to beloved items in collector Josh's man-cave office.
—Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 15 Apr. 2026
This film has likely been festering a good while.
—Pete Hammond, Deadline, 14 Apr. 2026
Contreras has had a long-festering feud with the Brewers throughout his career, but the 24 hit-by-pitches in 121 games against the Brewers are the most hit-by-pitches by one team against any active player.
—Jen McCaffrey, New York Times, 7 Apr. 2026
But the outcry marked a tidal shift in sentiment and exposed long-festering resentments.
—Jessica Mathews, Fortune, 3 Apr. 2026
For the families of the disappeared, the festering grief from not knowing the fate of a son, brother or father was compounded by threats from authorities displeased with anyone scrutinizing their behavior.
—Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 30 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for festering
Noun
-
Excessive fly activity indicates decomposition is already underway, at which point the fruit's condition is as much the concern as the flies themselves.—
Anne Wolf,
Martha Stewart,
13 May 2026
-
Brian Eckenrode, a retired FBI forensic scientist and expert in human decomposition, joined them in 2021.—
Richard Winton,
Los Angeles Times,
10 May 2026
Adjective
-
Dickerson was the first physician to treat Mike Studeny, who was diagnosed with a non-bleeding stroke.—
Christa Swanson,
CBS News,
9 May 2026
-
In tests using mice, after surgical damage to the liver, AGCL was able to perform significantly better than other current anti-bleeding agents, with normal liver function returning just two weeks after its application.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
21 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Still, others were not convinced this method was effective long term, as peonies can be prone to rotting roots.—
Kait Hanson,
Southern Living,
15 May 2026
-
Dispose of any overripe or rotting produce immediately.—
Kate Van Pelt,
The Spruce,
13 May 2026
Noun
-
But more than a decade of decay and corruption scandals have created an infrastructure chokepoint.—
Tiisetso Motsoeneng,
semafor.com,
15 May 2026
-
Helium-4 is naturally produced in the mantle through the decay of uranium and thorium, so there’s a lot of it.—
Robin George Andrews,
Scientific American,
14 May 2026
Adjective
-
Please tell me the sequel could answer the most burning question of the ’00s: How could Austin not recognize Sam in that mask?—
Stephanie McNeal,
Glamour,
13 Aug. 2025
-
Cooper, 30, asked Hargitay one more burning question about the actors' on-screen alter egos: will Olivia and Elliot ever end up together?—
Victoria Edel,
People.com,
26 June 2025
Verb
-
The search was prompted by soil vapor sampling, an experimental technology that detected volatile organic compounds potentially associated with decomposing human remains — though the method remains unproven in criminal investigations.—
Richard Winton,
Los Angeles Times,
6 May 2026
-
Carie Hallford was sentenced to 30 years for her role in a scheme that involved hiding nearly 200 decomposing bodies.—
Eduardo Cuevas,
USA Today,
25 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Poor grading is common in both older neighborhoods and newer subdivisions, and many homes in the region have crawl spaces that trap moisture, leading to mold, wood rot and structural damage.—
Ryan Brennan
May 15,
Charlotte Observer,
15 May 2026
-
Finally, upgrade your couch-rot-and-do-nothing sessions with the TCL 75-inch Class Q6 smart TV, and save 22%.—
Juhi Wadia,
PC Magazine,
5 May 2026
Adjective
-
McPherson alluded to Sanders’ Week 3 ankle injury being a nagging ailment during the conversation.—
Mike Kaye
Updated May 14,
Charlotte Observer,
14 May 2026
-
But a nagging habit continued Sunday.—
Blair Kerkhoff,
Kansas City Star,
11 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Festering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/festering. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
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