fester
/ˈfɛstə(ɹ)/
Group 16Difficulty 1/3
Definition
- (verb)
- To become septic; to become worse or more intense over time GRE
Example in Context
The unresolved grievances were allowed to fester for years, eventually erupting in a wave of protests that engulfed the capital.
Synonyms
worsenrotdecay
Etymology
Originally meant to become festering, similar to how something can become worse over time.
- fest- (Latin) — to feast
- er (Old English) — to become
Memory Aid
🎉Sounds like “fest-er”
Picture a party that starts to Fester into a disaster, with cake flying everywhere and guests yelling, 'This is a FESTER of a party!'
Visual Association
🤢A rotting pile of food with flies buzzing around, symbolizing a problem that has worsened over time.
Semantic Clusters
Synonym Groups
Frequently Asked Questions
What does “fester” mean on the GRE?
fester (verb) means “To become septic; to become worse or more intense over time”. The unresolved grievances were allowed to fester for years, eventually erupting in a wave of protests that engulfed the capital.
How to remember “fester” for the GRE?
Mnemonic: “fester” sounds like “fest-er”. Picture a party that starts to Fester into a disaster, with cake flying everywhere and guests yelling, 'This is a FESTER of a party!'
What are synonyms for “fester”?
Common synonyms: worsen, rot, decay.