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
Nathanael Gassett, Bon Appetit Magazine, 23 Sep. 2025
In addition to offering a survey of Khmer cuisine, with its strong flavors and sour ferments, the restaurant also pays homage to Un’s own family, particularly her mother, Kim Eng Mann, or Mama Kim, who can sometimes be spotted working in the kitchen.
—Helen Rosner, New Yorker, 14 Sep. 2025
Teresa Maalouf, Verywell Health, 26 Sep. 2025
It’s then cooked and mixed with local water, fermented, double distilled in copper stills, and then aged three years in tequila barrels — a nod to the spirit for which Mexico has become best known.
—Allyson Reedy, Denver Post, 24 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ferment
Noun
Its unique menu is a journey through time, starting in the precolonial era with pulque, made from agave sap and thought to be one of the oldest ferments in North America.
—Nathanael Gassett, Bon Appetit Magazine, 23 Sep. 2025
In addition to offering a survey of Khmer cuisine, with its strong flavors and sour ferments, the restaurant also pays homage to Un’s own family, particularly her mother, Kim Eng Mann, or Mama Kim, who can sometimes be spotted working in the kitchen.
—Helen Rosner, New Yorker, 14 Sep. 2025
Verb
White tea is lightly fermented.
—Teresa Maalouf, Verywell Health, 26 Sep. 2025
It’s then cooked and mixed with local water, fermented, double distilled in copper stills, and then aged three years in tequila barrels — a nod to the spirit for which Mexico has become best known.
—Allyson Reedy, Denver Post, 24 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ferment
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ferment
Noun
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The Treasury secretary announced a lifeline Thursday that’s designed to pull the country’s financial markets out of deepening turmoil, and a close political ally out of a hole.—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
12 Oct. 2025
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The coins reflect a time of turmoil Archaeologists have confirmed that the coins mainly date to the 12th century.—
Maria Mocerino,
Interesting Engineering,
12 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The combined vaccine has been extensively studied and consistently shown to provoke an immune response comparable to what’s seen when the individual vaccines are given separately, and without raising the risk of serious side effects.—
Katia Hetter,
CNN Money,
8 Oct. 2025
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Things that are shocking and terrible provoke our curiosity; if nothing ever went wrong, there would be no newspapers.—
Caity Weaver,
The Atlantic,
8 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Cuevas de Arom uses the vessels through the entire winemaking process, from fermentation through aging, which Mora explains provides a slower, more delicate evolution.—
Mike DeSimone,
Robb Report,
12 Oct. 2025
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Torres explained that wine and beer are safer bets due to their fermentation process and how they are manufactured.—
Alessandra Freitas,
CNN Money,
12 Oct. 2025
Verb
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In November, Jackson terminated Gatlin for swindling millions of dollars from the Foundation as executives privately reeled over her betrayal of the hospital system’s fundraising arm, which raises tens of millions to benefit Jackson’s patients.—
Michelle Marchante,
Miami Herald,
12 Oct. 2025
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Experts at Sweetbriar said the effort was not just about saving one insect but also about raising awareness.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
11 Oct. 2025
Noun
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But elections could act as a lightning rod for frustration over political repression to tip over into unrest.—
semafor.com,
semafor.com,
10 Oct. 2025
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Lecornu appeared to have negotiated a safeguard against further political unrest.—
Joseph Ataman,
CNN Money,
10 Oct. 2025
Verb
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To avoid tired, swollen feet, swap your ankle socks out for these Charmking compression socks, which promote good blood circulation in the air.—
Amelia McBride,
Travel + Leisure,
8 Oct. 2025
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Leo will soon embark on his first international trip, visiting Turkey and Lebanon, where he is expected to focus on promoting peace in the Middle East.—
Alexandra Banner,
CNN Money,
8 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Ferment.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ferment. Accessed 15 Oct. 2025.
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