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
Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of ferment
Stephen Humphries, The Christian Science Monitor, 23 Sep. 2024
The Professional Repairing Scalp Therapy Serum Shampoo relies on white truffle to keep your scalp and hair deeply hydrated while salicylic acid and rice ferment filtrate remove product buildup and excess oil to help reset your scalp.
—Devon Abelman, Allure, 2 Oct. 2024
Ann Abel, Forbes, 30 Dec. 2024
Consumed in excess and not broken down by enzymatic activity, lactose will ferment and cause digestive problems, inflammation and numerous symptoms (skin disorders, rhinitis, sinusitis, migraines, concentration problems, joint pain...).
—Marie Bladt, Vogue, 24 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for ferment 
Noun
Why does that era still have such a powerful hold on popular culture?
Ms. Seltzer: There’s so much ferment in the ’60s in New York.
—Stephen Humphries, The Christian Science Monitor, 23 Sep. 2024
The Professional Repairing Scalp Therapy Serum Shampoo relies on white truffle to keep your scalp and hair deeply hydrated while salicylic acid and rice ferment filtrate remove product buildup and excess oil to help reset your scalp.
—Devon Abelman, Allure, 2 Oct. 2024
Verb
Twelve diners at a time perch on barstools around the open kitchen led by executive chef Mauro Siega, where chefs cook proteins over an open fire and work from a mise en place of aged, fermented and otherwise preserved ingredients.
—Ann Abel, Forbes, 30 Dec. 2024
Consumed in excess and not broken down by enzymatic activity, lactose will ferment and cause digestive problems, inflammation and numerous symptoms (skin disorders, rhinitis, sinusitis, migraines, concentration problems, joint pain...).
—Marie Bladt, Vogue, 24 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for ferment
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ferment
Noun
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In the months that followed, Fort Worth ISD was a district in turmoil.—
Silas Allen,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
21 Jan. 2025
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Catch up quick: Peltier was arrested following the Wounded Knee occupation of 1973 at the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation amid violence and political turmoil.—
Russell Contreras,
Axios,
20 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Diplomatic Risks: The designation could provoke international disputes, particularly with Mexico, complicating its legal and practical implementation.—
Andy J. Semotiuk,
Forbes,
21 Jan. 2025
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The emotional bedrock underneath is the thing that’s provoking feeling in me.—
Harrison Richlin,
IndieWire,
18 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Made in a dedicated white wine fermentation room, the two whites are the first releases from the new winery.—
Mike DeSimone and Jeff Jenssen,
Robb Report,
10 Jan. 2025
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One promising approach comes from Sunflower Therapeutics, which is adapting pharmaceutical-grade fermentation systems for food production.—
Shayna Harris,
Forbes,
8 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Its protagonist struggles to raise a mutant creature while also dealing with nattering in-laws and a mundane job.—
David Sims,
The Atlantic,
17 Jan. 2025
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Smith was born and raised at Beale Air Force Base and lives in Elk Grove.—
Darrell Smith,
Sacramento Bee,
17 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Social unrest will become more frequent, with mass protests and political instability becoming the norm in affected regions.—
Amir Husain,
Forbes,
10 Jan. 2025
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The reason the internet satellite service became so popular after the women's rights protests began in 2022 is because access to Instagram and WhatsApp was restricted due to widespread civil unrest.—
Kevin Lynn,
Newsweek,
8 Jan. 2025
Verb
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False claims promoted by President-elect Donald Trump on his Truth Social platform sought to blame the Democratic Party for the wildfires.—
Donie O'Sullivan,
CNN,
13 Jan. 2025
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This includes promoting work-life balance, providing mental health support and implementing programs that nurture growth to ensure employees feel valued, supported and empowered.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes,
13 Jan. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Ferment.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ferment. Accessed 24 Jan. 2025.
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