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.
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
Tom Bell, Oc Register, 12 Apr. 2025
In these environments, problems that could be addressed tend to fester and can even lead to systemic failures.
—Tracy Lawrence, Forbes.com, 26 Mar. 2025
Invest now or pay more later Engineers say problems in many sectors have festered for so long that the nation must figure out how to address the shortcomings now or pay for them when systems fail.
—CBS News, 25 Mar. 2025
Shah, the son of India foreign minister Amit Shah, was previously holding the top post in India's governing body amid festering relations with Pakistan.
—Tristan Lavalette, Forbes, 19 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fester
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Verb
Even after the American War for Independence officially ended, unresolved disputes about territorial borders, unpaid debts, and seizures of property continued to fester between the United States and Great Britain, poisoning their relations.
—Tom Bell, Oc Register, 12 Apr. 2025
In these environments, problems that could be addressed tend to fester and can even lead to systemic failures.
—Tracy Lawrence, Forbes.com, 26 Mar. 2025
Invest now or pay more later Engineers say problems in many sectors have festered for so long that the nation must figure out how to address the shortcomings now or pay for them when systems fail.
—CBS News, 25 Mar. 2025
Shah, the son of India foreign minister Amit Shah, was previously holding the top post in India's governing body amid festering relations with Pakistan.
—Tristan Lavalette, Forbes, 19 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fester
Cite this Entry
“Fester.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fester. Accessed 30 Apr. 2025.
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