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

Examples of foment in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web That’s especially true for China, whose economic health at home and standing abroad are threatened by the global instability fomented by its revisionist partners. —

Antony J. Blinken, Foreign Affairs, 1 Oct. 2024 Jørgensen’s testimony was months in the making, and tensions were fomented in the interim following inflammatory rhetoric by Bernie Sanders and other U.S. politicians. —

Ryan Hogg, Fortune Europe, 24 Sep. 2024 And more recently, the service played a key role in fomenting the anti-immigrant riots that swept across the United Kingdom. —

James Bandler, ProPublica, 3 Sep. 2024 Jackpot payouts, in cash, fomented a wild period of interstate elver poaching. —

Paige Williams, The New Yorker, 17 June 2024 See all Example Sentences for foment

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'foment.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.