ferment

¹fer·ment

verb \(ˌ)fər-ˈment\

Definition of FERMENT

intransitive verb

1

: to undergo fermentation

2

: to be in a state of agitation or intense activity

transitive verb

1

: to cause to undergo fermentation

2

: to work up (as into a state of agitation) : foment

— fer·ment·able \-ˈmen-tə-bəl\ adjective

Examples of FERMENT

1. The wine ferments in oak barrels.
2. Yeast ferments the sugar in the juice.

First Known Use of FERMENT

14th century

Related to FERMENT

Synonyms: abet, brew, incite, foment, instigate, pick, provoke, raise, stir (up), whip (up)

Related Words: advance, cultivate, encourage, forward, foster, further, nourish, nurture, promote, sow, stimulate; detonate, set, set off, trigger; excite, galvanize, inflame (also enflame), inspire, motivate, rouse; activate, energize, enliven, fire, invigorate, jazz (up), liven (up), pep (up), quicken, stimulate, vitalize

Near Antonyms: bridle, check, constrain, curb, discourage, hold, inhibit, regulate, rein (in), restrain, tame; allay, calm, quiet, settle, soothe, still, subdue, tranquilize (also tranquillize)

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Rhymes with FERMENT

absent, accent, Advent, anent, ascent, assent, augment, besprent, cement, comment, consent, content, convent, descent, detent, dissent, docent, event, extent, foment, fragment, frequent, hell-bent, indent, intent, invent, lament, loment, low-rent, mordent, outspent, percent, pigment, portent, present, prevent, pup tent, quitrent, rack-rent, relent, repent, resent, segment, Shymkent, Tashkent, torment, well-meant, wisent