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Definitions

fester

[fes-ter] / ˈfɛs tər /
VERB
intensify; become inflamed
Synonyms
STRONGEST
smolder
STRONG
aggravate blister canker chafe decay gall gather irk maturate putrefy rankle rot suppurate ulcer ulcerate
Antonyms
STRONG
build delight flourish grow improve make happy please
WEAK
dissipate get better heal lessen

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Sweeping contentious issues under the rug and relegating them to wanton aggravation is one major way of letting these same topics fester.

From Salon • Apr. 3, 2026

At the same time, those provisions do not align with other features of the student-loan system that can allow the debt to fester for decades.

From MarketWatch • Dec. 19, 2025

The Jewish community has warned time and again that when hatred is allowed to fester, when it is excused, normalized or mainstreamed, it inevitably leads to violence.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 18, 2025

"We saw the police stand by and do nothing and, sadly, we've seen that from that moment on hate was allowed to fester."

From Barron's • Dec. 17, 2025

Ronnie looked panicked, mopping his forehead fester and faster while whispering to Ralph.

From "Mississippi Trial, 1955" by Chris Crowe