FESTER Synonyms: 71 Similar and Opposite Words

fester 1 of 2

verb

ˈfe-stər

Definition of fester

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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fester

2 of 2

noun

as in blister

a small, inflamed swelling of the skin pus oozed out of the fester

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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

Verb

Third, address conflicts early to prevent escalation, as small issues can fester. — Anna Shields, Forbes.com, 26 June 2026 And what that means is that festering problems are postponed. — Dana Taylor, USA Today, 16 June 2026 As the police department’s ranks shrank, crime festered, both aboveground and below. — Kevin Lozano, Harpers Magazine, 2 June 2026 But, the most intriguing part of the current situation presiding over the SEC is how many schools are actually on the same page about the economic structure that athletic directors and presidents are currently festering over. — Trey Wallace Outkick, FOXNews.com, 25 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for fester

Recent Examples of Synonyms for fester

Verb

Second, and perhaps more scientific (as far as these things go) is the fact that Sunfyre had not, in any way, begun to rot.

— Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 3 Aug. 2026
The result will be a multi-trunk tree with weak branches growing from a rotting stump that can attract pests like termites and carpenter ants.

— Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 2 Aug. 2026

Definition of rot

Verb

Authorities said the remains included bones believed to belong to four newborns and the decomposing body of a fifth.

— Landon Mion, FOXNews.com, 29 July 2026
Ament revisited his archive of decomposing negatives with his brother, designer Barry Ament, a few years ago.

— Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 29 July 2026

Definition of decompose

Verb

Comedy is a delicate object; a funny play on words in one language might disintegrate in another.

— Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 30 July 2026
The breakaway Super League succumbed to the pressure and disintegrated quickly, with nine of its founding members withdrawing in a matter of days.

— Justin Birnbaum, Sportico.com, 30 July 2026

Definition of disintegrate

Noun

In animals, the bacterium causes pustules and lesions, predominantly in cattle, sheep, and horses.

— Helen Branswell, STAT, 11 May 2026
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

Definition of pustule

Verb

Event speakers on Thursday acknowledged the roadblocks facing foreign companies in Venezuela, including decaying infrastructure, political uncertainty and the instability wrought by June’s devastating earthquake.

— Anna Cooban, CNN Money, 2 Aug. 2026
Second, the array will track decay pathways that mirror stellar reactions, showing how heavy elements form during supernovae and neutron star collisions.

— Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 1 Aug. 2026

Definition of decay

Noun

Louie’s platform began to grow and grow, and so did her pimple patch usage.

— Tabitha Parent, PEOPLE, 17 July 2026
Some of our favorite Prime Day deals include the viral Laneige lip mask that’s currently at its lowest price ever, collagen sheet masks that are a travel essential, pimple patches, and under-eye treatments that refresh your routine without a trip to the spa.

— Alexandra Emanuelli, Southern Living, 26 June 2026

Definition of pimple

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fest

fester

festered

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“Fester.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fester. Accessed 8 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of fester

verb

noun

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