as in turmoil
a disturbed or uneasy state
the city was in ferment as its residents nervously awaited the outcome of the referendum vote
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to provoke
to bring (something volatile or intense) into being
the various social and economic factors that fermented the major cultural change during the U.S. during the 1960s
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of ferment
Dan Piepenbring, Harpers Magazine, 24 Feb. 2026
The first bulk ferment, the long one is really for kind of flavor, honestly.
—Emily Elias, Bon Appetit Magazine, 18 Feb. 2026
Sarah Garone, Health, 16 Mar. 2026
This wine is co-fermented with Cabernet Franc, which adds an extra layer of brightness and earthiness in the mid-palate.
—Mike Desimone, Robb Report, 15 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for ferment
Noun
The working classes of Königsberg, caught up with much of Europe in a period of religious ferment, thought that Schönherr was onto something.
—Dan Piepenbring, Harpers Magazine, 24 Feb. 2026
The first bulk ferment, the long one is really for kind of flavor, honestly.
—Emily Elias, Bon Appetit Magazine, 18 Feb. 2026
Verb
And when fermented in the colon, soluble fiber produces short-chain fatty acids that support gut health and help control inflammation.
—Sarah Garone, Health, 16 Mar. 2026
This wine is co-fermented with Cabernet Franc, which adds an extra layer of brightness and earthiness in the mid-palate.
—Mike Desimone, Robb Report, 15 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for ferment
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ferment
Noun
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Those crises required two large IMF deals supported by tens of billions of dollars in Gulf aid and investments, reflecting a long-standing view among Gulf capitals that stability in the most populous Arab country is key to preventing wider turmoil.—
Alaa Shahine Salha,
semafor.com,
2 Apr. 2026
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Kara Ng, senior economist at Zillow Home Loans, said the mortgage-rate shock, fueled by bond market turmoil linked to the war in Iran, could stall the spring housing market if the conflict drags on.—
Samantha Delouya,
CNN Money,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
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But Felder also feared that the attack would provoke unprecedented violence against Palestinians, and believed that being Jewish required adhering to certain moral precepts.—
Eyal Press,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
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Analysts have warned such a move could provoke wider retaliation and further destabilize shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, through which a significant share of the world’s oil supply passes.—
Steve Mollman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Due to the natural fermentation process, Greek yogurt is also a great option for people who are lactose-sensitive.—
Philipp Wehsack,
Vogue,
28 Mar. 2026
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Wine is a multifaceted product of grape variety, the fermentation process, the environment and additives.—
Jackie Flynn Mogensen,
Scientific American,
24 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The school also received a Rotary Club grant, and its PTA also raised a significant amount of money.—
Molly McCrea,
CBS News,
3 Apr. 2026
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But the arc — first raising expectations for a big reveal, then declaring there was nothing to see, and ultimately a forced, flawed document dump — was a stubbornly problematic storyline that ran through her time as attorney general.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
3 Apr. 2026
Noun
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When a white suburban jury acquitted the LAPD officers who beat Black motorist Rodney King, protesters spilled into the Slot and set the nearby landmark palm trees on fire — a precursor for the unrest to come.—
Deputy Managing Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
31 Mar. 2026
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So when, in December 2025, thousands of ICE agents descended upon the Twin Cities, initiating two months of unrest and violence, restaurants were not at the forefront of the headlines, but acutely absorbing its impact.—
David Farley,
Condé Nast Traveler,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
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As technology has evolved, car shows have also become a stage to debut and promote emerging forms of transportation.—
Charles Singh,
USA Today,
31 Mar. 2026
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Several of her Instagram posts also included hashtags promoting Swift’s album.—
Joe Kottke,
NBC news,
30 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ferment.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ferment. Accessed 4 Apr. 2026.
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