festering

Meanings

1. 1adjectivebefore a nounmedical

   Infected and producing pus, as a wound that has not healed.

   Grammar: Usually before a noun: a festering sore.

   Patterns

   • a festering wound

   The soldier had a festering wound on his leg.

   The doctor cleaned the festering cut carefully.

   A festering sore can spread infection.

2. 2adjectivebefore a nounfigurative

   Getting steadily worse because it has been ignored, as with anger, resentment or a problem.

   Grammar: Used figuratively before nouns such as resentment, problem or grievance.

   Patterns

   • a festering problem
   • festering resentment

   The festering dispute between the neighbors finally ended up in court.

   Years of festering resentment broke out in the meeting.

   He couldn't ignore the festering problem any longer.

3. 3adjectivebefore a noundisapproving

   Rotting and smelling foul, especially of waste or rubbish.

   Grammar: Strongly unpleasant; used in vivid description.

   Patterns

   • a festering pile of something

   A festering heap of garbage lay behind the building.

   The festering swamp stank in the heat.

   The festering bins attracted flies.

Common combinations

festering wound

A festering wound needs urgent medical care.

festering resentment

Festering resentment poisoned the team.

festering sore

Corruption was a festering sore in the city government.

festering problem

The festering problem should have been solved years ago.

festering grudge

He carried a festering grudge against his old boss.

Synonyms and how they differ

infected

Infected is a neutral medical word, while festering adds that the infection is getting worse and weeping.

rankling

Rankling describes a resentment that keeps hurting and is used only for feelings, not wounds.

putrid

Putrid focuses on rot and bad smell rather than a worsening condition.

simmering

Simmering suggests a problem that has not yet exploded, whereas festering suggests it is already harmful.

Opposites

Word family

fester verb

to become infected or to worsen through neglect

festered adjective

past form describing an infected or rotten thing

festerment noun

a rare word for the state of festering

Commonly confused: festering or festive?

Practice

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