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
Jessica Mathews, Fortune, 3 Apr. 2026
For years, this debate between stricter codes and affordable housing festered behind the scenes, including at the obscure International Code Council, which brings together government officials, contractors, appliance makers and others to lay the groundwork for model codes.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 30 Mar. 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 controversy stretches back years, but festered under ex-President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, who was in office from 2018-2024.
—ABC News, 27 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for fester
Verb
But the outcry marked a tidal shift in sentiment and exposed long-festering resentments.
—Jessica Mathews, Fortune, 3 Apr. 2026
For years, this debate between stricter codes and affordable housing festered behind the scenes, including at the obscure International Code Council, which brings together government officials, contractors, appliance makers and others to lay the groundwork for model codes.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 30 Mar. 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 controversy stretches back years, but festered under ex-President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, who was in office from 2018-2024.
—ABC News, 27 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for fester
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fester
Verb
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Do not pile mulch against the tree’s trunk; that can cause the bark to rot.—
Beth Botts,
Chicago Tribune,
25 Apr. 2026
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Some family members of those whose bodies were left to rot had urged Judge Eric Bentley to impose the maximum sentence.—
Colleen Slevin,
Los Angeles Times,
25 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Plus, the sockliner provides a soft, sweat-wicking barrier to keep me comfortable and blister-free on my most active days.—
Kayla Kitts,
Travel + Leisure,
19 Apr. 2026
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But sometimes globalization is good, and my favorite blister patches have started to experience a widespread retail presence in the last few years—this might be in part due to an acquisition by HRA Pharma in 2017, which expanded the product to over 90 countries.—
Jessica Sulima,
Condé Nast Traveler,
16 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The body was decomposed and dismembered.—
City News Service,
Daily News,
23 Apr. 2026
-
Her arms and legs had been cut off, and her body was significantly decomposed, according to the report.—
Steven J. Horowitz,
Variety,
23 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Bring water to a boil, then pour it over the onion grass, avoiding surrounding plants.—
Madeline Buiano,
Martha Stewart,
26 Apr. 2026
-
Kannapolis closures during boil order Towel City Tavern — a beer, bourbon and barbecue joint in downtown Kannapolis — is among the businesses closing Friday.—
Heidi Finley,
Charlotte Observer,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Indeed, with Iran’s refusal to end hostilities on unfavorable terms and willingness to fight to the end, alongside Israel’s belligerence and desire to disintegrate the Iranian state, risks of further escalation remain.—
Alexander Langlois,
Oc Register,
22 Apr. 2026
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Late Saturday, rescue crews were trying to determine whether the ValuJet aircraft disintegrated on impact or partially lodged itself in the soft, marshy terrain of the Everglades.—
Miami Herald Archives,
Miami Herald,
21 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Spoiler alert: The monster is definitely real, a lion-bear hybrid covered in disgusting bloody pustules.—
Katie Rife,
Entertainment Weekly,
28 Oct. 2025
-
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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There was nothing quaint about the making of Apocalypse Now, for which Tavoularis created a nightmarish jungle kingdom with a decaying temple — inspired by the ancient Angkor Wat in Cambodia — as its centerpiece.—
Mike Barnes,
HollywoodReporter,
23 Apr. 2026
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By removing the decaying cells created by the high-salt diet, the drug allowed the remaining healthy tissue to maintain its elasticity and respond correctly to blood flow demands.—
Khloe Quill,
FOXNews.com,
22 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Bieber headlined Coachella both weekends, while Hailey, 29, hosted a Rhode activation event during the festival shortly after collaborating with her husband on the brand's new hydrocolloid pimple stickers.—
Angelique Brenes,
PEOPLE,
25 Apr. 2026
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Founded by Julie Schott, a serial founder who’s also behind the pimple-patch brand Starface, Julie brought a Gen Z sensibility to the emergency contraception category.—
Emma Hinchliffe,
Fortune,
13 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Fester.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fester. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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