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View synonyms for

fester

[fes-ter]

verb (used without object)

  1. to form pus; generate purulent matter; suppurate.

  2. to cause ulceration, as a foreign body in the flesh.

  3. to putrefy or rot.

  4. to rankle, as a feeling of resentment.



verb (used with object)

  1. to cause to rankle.

    Malice festered his spirit.

noun

  1. an ulcer; a rankling sore.

  2. a small, purulent, superficial sore.

fester

/ ˈɛə /

verb

  1. to form or cause to form pus

  2. (intr) to become rotten; decay

  3. to become or cause to become bitter, irritated, etc, esp over a long period of time; rankle

    resentment festered his imagination

  4. informal(intr) to be idle or inactive

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

noun

  1. a small ulcer or sore containing pus

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Other Word Forms

  • unfestered adjective
  • unfestering adjective
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Word History and Origins

Origin of fester1

1350–1400; (noun) Middle English festir, festre < Anglo-French, Old French festre < Latin fistula fistula (for -l- > -r- chapter ); (v.) Middle English festryn, derivative of the noun or < Old French festrir
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Word History and Origins

Origin of fester1

C13: from Old French festre suppurating sore, from Latin: fistula
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

At the same time, however, Bush sought to address some of the underlying issues — the racist history of the LAPD, chief among them — that festered for decades before exploding into molten rage.

From

True to its name, it reeks of festering flesh, roughly the size and appearance of an exploded tire made of weathered beef jerky.

From

The campaign has also highlighted festering divides along regional lines.

From

Keeping the truth from someone might not be outright dishonesty, but it’s a rot that decays the same way, just festering at a slower pace.

From

It’s also close-knit and small, a fertile environment for slights to fester.

From

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festalfestina lente