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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in rotting
to go through decomposition
a week after the battle the corpses of the fallen were still festering in the fields
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of festering
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
Adjective
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for festering
Verb
-
Then came the yacht’s renaissance by her father, who saw beauty and sailing prowess inside a rotting hull.—
Tristan Rutherford,
Robb Report,
3 Jan. 2025
-
Rotting Flesh and the Skeleton Underneath Eggers wanted the audience almost to smell the rotting flesh when the sarcophagus is flipped open.—
Chris O'Falt,
IndieWire,
2 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
One hundred and thirteen years later, much of the great vessel — and what’s left of its splendors — remains in the same spot it was found four decades ago in 1985, though decay and human interference have changed its form over time.—
Nicole Briese,
People.com,
14 Apr. 2025
-
Water fluoridation has been proven to be so effective at preventing tooth decay that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) named it one of the 10 greatest public health achievements of the 20th century, a time during which Americans' life expectancies rose by 30 years.—
Hannah Yasharoff,
USA Today,
13 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Ben Johnson has a ‘burning desire’ to be a head coach.—
Brad Biggs,
Chicago Tribune,
4 Feb. 2025
-
For answers to more burning questions about Season 2, plus Season 3 clues (including which Season 1 character will be coming back), read Deadline’s interview with The Night Agent showrunner Shawn Ryan.—
Nellie Andreeva,
Deadline,
24 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
From top-to-bottom, this agency is a giant rot and burden to the American taxpayer—a national security risk for this nation—and irretrievably broken.—
Dan Perry,
Newsweek,
18 Mar. 2025
-
The mulch should be kept a couple of inches away from the crown of each plant to prevent rot and should be no deeper than 2 inches.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
9 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
That results in violence experienced first as a tragedy, then as a nagging mystery by Jaspers’ post office coworkers.—
Dennis Harvey,
Variety,
17 Apr. 2025
-
The signs include relentless exhaustion, a growing sense of cynicism, and a nagging feeling that their efforts don’t matter.—
Jack Kelly,
Forbes.com,
16 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Is dark matter decaying, or is something decaying into dark matter?—
Big Think,
Big Think,
8 Apr. 2025
-
What fill out the episodes instead are extended zombie-battle scenes and long, silent sequences where people explore gorgeously decaying spaces.—
Judy Berman,
Time,
7 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Hoss — who’s sensual and full of sad, smiling bewilderment without ever disintegrating into ditziness — makes a mature, deeply poignant Ranevskaya.—
Sara Holdren,
Vulture,
4 Apr. 2025
-
Marvel at the firework display of disintegrating foes; revel in your might as a pair of badass demon slayers.—
Lewis Gordon,
Vulture,
19 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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The direct cost of the tariffs on aerospace is estimated to be as high as $5 Billion, but the real cost is far more pernicious.—
Jerrold Lundquist,
Forbes.com,
30 Mar. 2025
-
Many scandals arise from the occasion of these activities, and adulteries and other outrageous crimes are committed as a clear offence to God, a very serious danger to the souls of those committing them, and a pernicious example to others.—
The Editors,
JSTOR Daily,
27 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Festering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/festering. Accessed 28 Apr. 2025.
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