FOMENT Synonyms: 63 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'foment' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of foment are abet , incite , and instigate . While all these words mean "to spur to action," foment implies persistence in goading. // fomenting rebellion

Q: When would 'abet' be a good substitute for 'foment'?

The words abet and foment are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, abet implies both assisting and encouraging. // aiding and abetting the enemy

Q: Where would 'incite' be a reasonable alternative to 'foment'?

The words incite and foment can be used in similar contexts, but incite stresses a stirring up and urging on, and may or may not imply initiating. // inciting a riot

Q: When could 'instigate' be used to replace 'foment'?

The meanings of instigate and foment largely overlap; however, instigate definitely implies responsibility for initiating another's action and often connotes underhandedness or evil intention. // instigated a conspiracy

foment

verb

ˈfō-ˌment

Definition of foment next

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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How does the verb foment contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of foment are abet, incite, and instigate. While all these words mean "to spur to action," foment implies persistence in goading.

fomenting rebellion

When would abet be a good substitute for foment?

The words abet and foment are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, abet implies both assisting and encouraging.

aiding and abetting the enemy

Where would incite be a reasonable alternative to foment?

The words incite and foment can be used in similar contexts, but incite stresses a stirring up and urging on, and may or may not imply initiating.

inciting a riot

When could instigate be used to replace foment?

The meanings of instigate and foment largely overlap; however, instigate definitely implies responsibility for initiating another's action and often connotes underhandedness or evil intention.

instigated a conspiracy

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of foment And across the industry, companies have shrunk teams whose entire job was to ensure the safety of their platforms, including from people who seek to foment hate and violence. —

Clare Duffy, CNN, 23 Jan. 2025 President-elect Donald Trump’s picks to lead the country’s top public health agencies have actively worked to foment distrust in vaccines. —

Lisa Jarvis, The Mercury News, 14 Jan. 2025 Musk’s flurry of posts and replies comes just months after anti-immigrant riots roiled the UK, fomented by far-right activists who spread misinformation about a knife attack. —

David Gilbert, WIRED, 3 Jan. 2025 In Trump, Evangelicals have found a candidate who allows them, encourages them even, to baptize their prejudices against immigrants, against the LGBTQ+ communities, fomenting a movement of hatefulness, all in the name of God. —

Donovan McAbee, TIME, 28 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for foment