as in to provoke
to bring (something volatile or intense) into being
John Adams's wife, Abigail, told him that if women were not remembered by the new American government, they would "foment a Rebellion and will not hold ourselves bound by any Laws in which we have no voice or Representation"
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Recent Examples of foment
Some have shifted away from one of the historic missions of newspapers—influencing public opinion—and instead seek to foment community conversations online.
—
Encyclopedia Britannica, 23 Apr. 2026
But the war that’s threatening global energy supplies, upending geopolitics, fomenting a food crisis and likely to curb global growth long after any ceasefire is the Iran war.
—Diane Brady, Fortune, 14 Apr. 2026
Many cops and union officials blamed de Blasio’s support for Black Lives Matter and other protesters against police brutality for fomenting anti-cop sentiment that culminated in the slayings.
—Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 25 Feb. 2026
Taking out Iran’s leadership could potentially embolden protesters and foment the kind of political change in Iran that Washington has long sought.
—Nancy A. Youssef, The Atlantic, 21 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for foment
Encyclopedia Britannica, 23 Apr. 2026
But the war that’s threatening global energy supplies, upending geopolitics, fomenting a food crisis and likely to curb global growth long after any ceasefire is the Iran war.
—Diane Brady, Fortune, 14 Apr. 2026
Many cops and union officials blamed de Blasio’s support for Black Lives Matter and other protesters against police brutality for fomenting anti-cop sentiment that culminated in the slayings.
—Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 25 Feb. 2026
Taking out Iran’s leadership could potentially embolden protesters and foment the kind of political change in Iran that Washington has long sought.
—Nancy A. Youssef, The Atlantic, 21 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for foment
Recent Examples of Synonyms for foment
Verb
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Similar summaries of the show in the magazine Soap Opera Digest provoked outrage within the fledgling magazine’s readership.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
18 May 2026
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On May 18, Venus will conclude its journey through the flirtatious and thought-provoking sign of Gemini and enter the sentimental and hopeless romantic sign of Cancer.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
18 May 2026
Verb
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The top professional sports leagues formed a coalition with some broadcasters, including NBC and Fox, three years ago and agreed that betting should be marketed only to fans of legal age and that excessive gambling should not be promoted.—
Luke Connors,
Washington Post,
19 May 2026
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Musk promoted the accomplishment on Twitter.—
Ashley Capoot,Lora Kolodny,
CNBC,
18 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Foment.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/foment. Accessed 22 May. 2026.
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