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
Amy Davidson Sorkin, New Yorker, 18 Apr. 2026
Bacteria added to ferment milk and produce Greek yogurt provide probiotics.
—Amy Brownstein, Verywell Health, 2 Apr. 2026
Katlyn Moncada, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 Apr. 2026
If cabbage causes gas, start slowly with smaller portions of cooked or fermented cabbage and increase gradually as tolerance improves.
—Leeann Weintraub, Daily News, 15 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for ferment
Noun
The situation is one of ideological ferment, rather than a reversion to some Romneyite center.
—Amy Davidson Sorkin, New Yorker, 18 Apr. 2026
Bacteria added to ferment milk and produce Greek yogurt provide probiotics.
—Amy Brownstein, Verywell Health, 2 Apr. 2026
Verb
The crunchy slices are lightly fermented for a gut-health boost.
—Katlyn Moncada, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 Apr. 2026
If cabbage causes gas, start slowly with smaller portions of cooked or fermented cabbage and increase gradually as tolerance improves.
—Leeann Weintraub, Daily News, 15 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for ferment
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ferment
Noun
-
The turmoil has included the sudden resignation of then-Supt.—
Howard Blume,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Apr. 2026
-
The Twin Cities’ response to a sweeping federal immigration crackdown that threw communities and local economies into turmoil offers a glimpse of what resilience and solidarity look like in practice.—
Melissa Jun Rowley,
Rolling Stone,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
And the choices may provoke some disagreement.—
Andrea Margolis,
FOXNews.com,
25 Apr. 2026
-
Antisemitic attacks have surged worldwide since October 7, 2023, when Hamas militants crossed the border into Israel for an attack that provoked a ferocious response from Israel that’s razed large parts of Gaza and killed tens of thousands of Palestinians.—
CNN.com Wire Service,
Mercury News,
25 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The foundations of its low-waste approach were built by Maurice Mc Geehan (aka @thenowastechef), who consulted on equipment choices—including a charcoal grill and fermentation buckets—and techniques—such as pickling, fermentation, and creating powders from leftover ingredients.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
23 Apr. 2026
-
Heat Dairy and non-dairy yogurts are made through a fermentation process that promotes the growth of certain beneficial bacterial strains.—
Heidi Moawad,
Verywell Health,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Member associations had appealed to soccer’s governing body to raise prize money because of cost concerns.—
Anne M. Peterson,
Chicago Tribune,
1 May 2026
-
That duplication has raised concerns about staff consolidations and widespread newsroom layoffs.—
Meg James,
Los Angeles Times,
1 May 2026
Noun
-
That is, up until the 1911 census, after which unrest put the practice on pause.—
Tess Kenny,
Chicago Tribune,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Turkey denies the deaths constituted genocide, saying the toll has been inflated and that those killed were victims of civil war and unrest.—
City News Service,
Daily News,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The Yankees are expected to promote a reliever in his place on Monday.—
Gary Phillips,
New York Daily News,
27 Apr. 2026
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The walk is open to anyone who wants to come together to promote lung health and help raise funds for research, advocacy and treatments.—
Marcella Baietto,
CBS News,
27 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ferment.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ferment. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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