What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
fester
Example
The cut on my finger started to fester and became infected. [fester: verb]
Example
The issue between the two coworkers continued to fester and eventually led to a heated argument. [fester: verb]
Example
Her jealousy towards her friend began to fester inside her, causing her to feel bitter and resentful. [fester: verb]
rot
Example
The fruit was left out for too long and began to rot. [rot: verb]
Example
The company's financial situation began to rot due to poor management decisions. [rot: verb]
Example
The politician's corruption caused a rot in the government system. [rot: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Rot is more commonly used than fester in everyday language. Rot is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while fester is less common and is often used in specific medical or emotional contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between fester and rot?
While fester is typically associated with a more informal tone, rot can be employed in various formality levels, allowing it to be used in both formal and informal contexts.
