festering
Wound going bad
Festering describes something that is rotting, decaying, or becoming infected—typically a wound that isn't healing properly: The festering cut needed medical attention.
Figuratively, festering applies to problems or emotions left unaddressed that grow worse over time: festering resentment, a festering dispute.
The implication is that neglect breeds corruption.
Localized pus collection
- pusInfected tissue fluid
- sepsisDangerous inflammatory infection response
- gangreneTissue death from bloodlessness
- suppurationPus discharge from infection
cellulitis · inflammation · septicemia · bacteremia · oozing · ulceration · necrosis · swelling
Bacterial breakdown of tissue
- decompositionBreakdown into simpler parts
- rotOrganic breakdown process
- spoilageFood degradation process
- moldForm-giving container
necrosis · putrid · gangrenous · rotting · rancid · putrescent · carrion · fetid
Persistent resentment toward someone
- bitternessSharp, unpleasant taste or feeling
- animosityActive, bitter hostility
- simmeringCooking below boiling point
- broodingAnxiously dwelling on something
rancor · smoldering · hatred · ill-will · grievance · spite · vendetta · seething
Left behind completely
- unaddressedNot yet handled
- untreatedNot given care
- ignoredPurposely not noticed
- disrepairPoor maintained condition
dilapidated · stagnant · languishing · unchecked · deteriorating · unattended · forgotten · disregarded
Becoming more severe
- intensifyingIncreasing in strength
- escalatingIncreasing by degrees
- compoundingElements merging progressively
- exacerbatingMaking something worse
deepening · mounting · growing · spreading · metastasizing · snowballing · amplifying · inflaming
abscess
Localized pus collection
- pusInfected tissue fluid
- sepsisDangerous inflammatory infection response
- gangreneTissue death from bloodlessness
suppuration · cellulitis · inflammation · septicemia · bacteremia · oozing · ulceration · necrosis · swelling · septic
putrefaction
Bacterial breakdown of tissue
- decompositionBreakdown into simpler parts
- rotOrganic breakdown process
- spoilageFood degradation process
mold · necrosis · putrid · gangrenous · rotting · rancid · putrescent · carrion · fetid · stench
grudge
Persistent resentment toward someone
- bitternessSharp, unpleasant taste or feeling
- animosityActive, bitter hostility
- simmeringCooking below boiling point
brooding · rancor · smoldering · hatred · ill-will · grievance · spite · vendetta · seething · unresolved
abandoned
Left behind completely
- unaddressedNot yet handled
- untreatedNot given care
- ignoredPurposely not noticed
disrepair · dilapidated · stagnant · languishing · unchecked · deteriorating · unattended · forgotten · disregarded · worsening
worsening
Becoming more severe
- intensifyingIncreasing in strength
- escalatingIncreasing by degrees
- compoundingElements merging progressively
exacerbating · deepening · mounting · growing · spreading · metastasizing · snowballing · amplifying · inflaming · deteriorating
- decayrot, decay rate, wilt, crumble, decomposition
- deterioratingdecaying, decomposing, degrading, rotting, eroding
- Deteriorationdecay, rot, degradation, deterioration, corrosion
- filthdirt, grime, dirty, filthy, muck
- resentmentresentful, grudge, bitterness, rancor, spite
- spoilagerotten, stale, moldy, rotting, spoiled
festeringhealing
Restoration of health
healed · mending · recovering · healthy · clean
- festering woundInfected, pus-filled injury