cankered
Decayed from within
Cankered describes something infected with canker—a spreading sore or rot.
Trees become cankered when disease eats into their bark.
The word extends to moral corruption or bitterness: a cankered soul, cankered by jealousy.
In older literature, cankered often meant malignant or ill-natured: a cankered old miser.
Having open sores
- gangrenousAffected by tissue death
- necroticOf dying tissue
- infectedInvaded by pathogens
- septicInfected with bacteria
festering · inflamed · putrefying · blighted · rotting · morbid · sickened · afflicted
Corroded by moisture
- oxidizedCombined with oxygen
- pittedSeed removed, or opposed
- tarnishedOxidized and discolored
- erodedGradually degraded by elements
eaten away · decayed · deteriorated · weathered · crumbling · degraded · worn · disintegrating
Decomposed or corrupt
- decayedBroken down organically
- putridDecomposed and foul-smelling
- ruinedDamaged beyond recovery
- blightedHarmed by destructive force
worm-eaten · tainted · withered · shriveled · blackened · moldy · decomposed · perished
Feeling lingering ill will
- acrimoniousBitterly antagonistic in tone
- vitriolicHarshly bitter and corrosive
- causticChemically burning; bitterly mocking
- venomousProducing injected toxins
spiteful · malicious · embittered · rancorous · grudging · hostile · malevolent · poisoned
ulcerated
Having open sores
- gangrenousAffected by tissue death
- necroticOf dying tissue
- infectedInvaded by pathogens
septic · festering · inflamed · putrefying · blighted · rotting · morbid · sickened · afflicted · unwholesome
rusted
Corroded by moisture
eroded · eaten away · decayed · deteriorated · weathered · crumbling · degraded · worn · disintegrating · perforated
rotten
Decomposed or corrupt
blighted · worm-eaten · tainted · withered · shriveled · blackened · moldy · decomposed · perished · bad
resentful
Feeling lingering ill will
- acrimoniousBitterly antagonistic in tone
- vitriolicHarshly bitter and corrosive
- causticChemically burning; bitterly mocking
venomous · spiteful · malicious · embittered · rancorous · grudging · hostile · malevolent · poisoned · festering
cankeredhealthy
In good physical condition
sound · wholesome · flourishing · thriving · vigorous
cankeredpure
Unmixed, without impurities
wholesome · uncorrupted · virtuous · innocent · untainted
cankeredcontented
Feeling quietly fulfilled
benevolent · sweet-tempered · good-natured · unresentful · peaceful
- canker soreOral mucosal lesion
- citrus cankerBacterial disease of citrus