festered; festering
ˈfe-st(ə-)riŋ 
1
: to generate pus
The wound became inflamed and festered.
3
a
: to cause increasing poisoning, irritation, or bitterness : rankle
dissent festered unchecked
His resentment festered for years.
b
: to undergo or exist in a state of progressive deterioration
allowed slums to fester
: to make inflamed or corrupt
: a suppurating sore : pustule
Did you know?
Fester comes from Latin fistula, meaning "pipe" or "fistulous ulcer." Fistula, in English, refers to an abnormal passage leading from an abscess or hollow organ and permitting passage of fluids or secretions. The word's use as a verb meaning "to generate pus" influenced its use as a word implying a worsening state.
Synonyms
Examples of fester in a Sentence
Verb
His wounds festered for days before he got medical attention.
His feelings of resentment have festered for years.
We should deal with these problems now instead of allowing them to fester.
Noun
pus oozed out of the fester
Recent Examples on the Web
Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 12 Dec. 2024
These issues were festering long before most of us were born.
—Dylan Scott, Vox, 6 Dec. 2024
Adam Petrilli, Forbes, 26 Dec. 2024
In other words, let the crisis fester until January 2025, if not much longer.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 9 Feb. 2024
See all Example Sentences for fester 
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Verb
That boundary provided clarity, ensuring that both friends knew Kaya wasn’t living there as a form of charity from Elsbeth, which could have allowed small resentments to fester into a larger conflict.
—Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 12 Dec. 2024
These issues were festering long before most of us were born.
—Dylan Scott, Vox, 6 Dec. 2024
Noun
While more mentions can often be good for a brand, putting too much stock in numbers and too little in what those comments say can have severe reputational consequences, allowing negatives to fester and erode even more into your overall brand perception.
—Adam Petrilli, Forbes, 26 Dec. 2024
In other words, let the crisis fester until January 2025, if not much longer.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 9 Feb. 2024
See all Example Sentences for fester
Dictionary Entries Near fester
Cite this Entry
“Fester.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fester. Accessed 19 Jan. 2025.
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