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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of ferment
Nicholas Derenzo, AFAR Media, 27 Dec. 2024
The intrigue: Speaking of pickles, free ferments are back.
—Anna Spiegel, Axios, 20 Nov. 2024
Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 Jan. 2025
But alcohol is an ancient and natural beverage, made by fermenting grains, fruits, or vegetables—all of which are part of a balanced diet in their original forms.
—Jamie Ducharme, TIME, 28 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for ferment 
Noun
Chef Stephen Peak sources 90 percent of ingredients from the on-site greenhouse and gardens, and staffers practice whole-animal butchery, make their own cheese and charcuterie, bake their own bread, and preserve and ferment seasonal produce.
—Nicholas Derenzo, AFAR Media, 27 Dec. 2024
The intrigue: Speaking of pickles, free ferments are back.
—Anna Spiegel, Axios, 20 Nov. 2024
Verb
But with bokashi composting, organic matter is placed in an airtight composter or bucket, covered with a natural bran inoculated with beneficial microorganisms, and fermented for 2 weeks.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 Jan. 2025
But alcohol is an ancient and natural beverage, made by fermenting grains, fruits, or vegetables—all of which are part of a balanced diet in their original forms.
—Jamie Ducharme, TIME, 28 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for ferment
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ferment
Noun
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Her testimony provided fresh insight into her views on presidential power and the Education Department's role in overseeing K-12 schools and colleges, and her take on the ongoing turmoil at the agency she is expected to manage.—
Zachary Schermele,
USA TODAY,
13 Feb. 2025
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The consumer bureau has been in turmoil for days after Russell Vought, installed Friday by Mr. Trump as the agency’s acting director, ordered a halt to all of its operations.—
Stacy Cowley,
New York Times,
12 Feb. 2025
Verb
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The new policies have created fears in the immigrant communities across the U.S., and provoked criticism from regional leaders who have long criticized the U.S. for sending back migrants, especially those accused of committing crimes in the U.S.—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
11 Feb. 2025
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But the bigger picture here is that media, entertainment and tech companies are facing a pivotal moment in the second Trump era, and many are choosing to try to placate the new administration rather than provoke more ire.—
Ryan Faughnder,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Feb. 2025
Noun
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In a process known as fermentation, these bacteria feast on the oligosaccharides, resulting in byproducts like hydrogen, carbon dioxide, methane, and, occasionally, sulfur—in other words, gas.—
Caroline Tien,
SELF,
7 Feb. 2025
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Favorable policies and product innovations in the US and Canada are expected to drive the growth and adoption of precision fermentation.—
Sarwant Singh,
Forbes,
22 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Applied had previously raised $42 million in 2022 from G42 and Dubai’s ruling Al Maktoum family, Bloomberg reported.—
Iain Martin,
Forbes,
10 Feb. 2025
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In 2024, when the Super Bowl was held in Las Vegas, for example, $40 million was raised by the Convention and Visitor’s Authority and the other $20 million by the Super Bowl Host Committee.—
Barry M. Bloom,
Sportico.com,
10 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Signs of unrest at Mount Spurr -- located in the Aleutian Arc in southern Alaska about 75 miles west of Anchorage -- have increased over the past 10 months, according to volcanologists at the U.S. Geological Survey.—
Julia Jacobo,
ABC News,
14 Feb. 2025
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Shah’s abdication led to the 1979 revolution The Islamic Revolution began with widespread unrest in Iran over the rule of the shah who, terminally and secretly ill with cancer, fled Iran in January 1979.—
Nasser Karimi,
Chicago Tribune,
10 Feb. 2025
Verb
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The nonprofit had been set to receive $165,000 over three years to expand its farmers market and promote urban farming in the area, one of the poorer neighborhoods in Kansas City.—
Jonathan Shorman,
Kansas City Star,
18 Feb. 2025
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This is the second edition of this competition, with the first running from 2019-23 between seven teams, with Scotland winning while Papua New Guinea was relegated and Canada was promoted.—
Josh Hammer,
Newsweek,
18 Feb. 2025
Articles Related to ferment
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Cite this Entry
“Ferment.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ferment. Accessed 23 Feb. 2025.
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