cankering
Eating away gradually
Cankering is the present participle of canker, meaning to corrupt, consume, or decay gradually.
A canker is an ulcerous sore or a source of spreading corruption—plant diseases that eat away at bark, mouth ulcers, or figuratively, any influence that corrodes from within.
Resentment was cankering their friendship.
The cankering rust had ruined the old gate.
Organic matter decomposing
- festeringBecoming infected, decaying
- putrefactionBacterial breakdown of tissue
- decompositionBreakdown into simpler parts
- spoilageFood degradation process
withering · blight · moldering · necrosis · gangrenous · ulceration · mortification · putrescence
Iron oxide coating
- oxidationLosing electrons chemically
- tarnishOxidation discoloration on metal
- erosionGradual wearing away
- pittingForming small cavities
corroding · deterioration · degradation · eating away · wear · fretting · disintegration · impairment
Erosive tissue wound
- lesionArea of pathological change
- infectionPathogen invasion causing illness
- blightPlant disease causing decay
- mouth soreLesion in oral cavity
plant disease · bacterial infection · fungal infection · infestation · spreading · pathogenic
Persistent bitter displeasure
- rancorLasting bitter resentment
- animosityActive, bitter hostility
- poisoningHarmful substance exposure
- embitteringCausing deep resentment
rotting
Organic matter decomposing
- festeringBecoming infected, decaying
- putrefactionBacterial breakdown of tissue
- decompositionBreakdown into simpler parts
spoilage · withering · blight · moldering · necrosis · gangrenous · ulceration · mortification · putrescence · perishing
rust
Iron oxide coating
- oxidationLosing electrons chemically
- tarnishOxidation discoloration on metal
- erosionGradual wearing away
pitting · corroding · deterioration · degradation · eating away · wear · fretting · disintegration · impairment · sulfuration
ulcer
Erosive tissue wound
- lesionArea of pathological change
- infectionPathogen invasion causing illness
- blightPlant disease causing decay
mouth sore · plant disease · bacterial infection · fungal infection · infestation · spreading · pathogenic
resentment
Persistent bitter displeasure
embittering · souring · malice · spite · eating away · toxic · venomous