verb
- past tense of fester: (of a wound or sore) to become infected and filled with pus
- past tense of fester: to become worse or more intense over time, especially when left unaddressed
Usage: figurative
Examples
- The cut on his hand festered because he didn't clean it properly.
- The wound festered for days before he finally saw a doctor.
- Their disagreement festered into a serious conflict over the years.
- Resentment festered beneath the surface of their friendship.
- The problem festered while management ignored the complaints.
- Without treatment, the infection festered and spread.