Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Behind Altman’s “code red” declaration, however, are tensions between camps inside the company that have been festering for years, according to people familiar with the matter.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 9, 2025

Despite hopes of re-establishing dialogue, the meetings are likely to cover sensitive issues that have been festering for years.

From New York Times • Jul. 2, 2023

And really, for the first time, we got to hear their opinions on these things that might have been festering quietly before people felt more comfortable expressing their points of view.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 11, 2022

This endorsement brought questions to the surface that have been festering for a long time.

From Salon • Apr. 27, 2022

We must not only beat this pandemic; we must also address a host of other ills that have been festering for decades.

From Washington Post • Mar. 18, 2020