Synonyms of ferment

ferment 1 of 2

noun

ˈfər-ˌment 

as in turmoil

a disturbed or uneasy state

the city was in ferment as its residents nervously awaited the outcome of the referendum vote

Synonyms & Similar Words

• turmoil
• fermentation
• unrest
• tension
• excitement
• confusion
• anxiety
• restlessness
• uneasiness
• unease
• turbulence
• disquiet
• upheaval
• agitation
• chaos
• stir
• trouble
• restiveness
• disruption
• Sturm und Drang
• storm
• unquietness
• commotion
• anarchy
• perturbation
• tumult
• hubbub
• disorder
• unsettlement
• uproar
• tumultuousness
• fidgets
• disquietude
• moil
• inquietude
• welter
• queasiness

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• peace
• ease
• calm
• quiet
• tranquility
• order
• peacefulness
• orderliness

ferment

2 of 2

verb

(ˌ)fər-ˈment 

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• provoke
• raise
• promote
• foment
• encourage
• brew
• trigger
• incite
• cultivate
• set in motion
• stimulate
• stir (up)
• instigate
• whip (up)
• pick
• abet
• foster
• nurture
• further
• nourish
• sow
• inspire
• forward
• set off
• advance
• rouse
• motivate
• detonate
• inflame
• galvanize
• activate
• excite
• energize
• invigorate
• enliven
• jazz (up)
• quicken
• set
• vitalize
• fire
• pep (up)
• liven (up)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• regulate
• hold
• restrain
• inhibit
• check
• discourage
• curb
• rein (in)
• constrain
• tame
• settle
• subdue
• calm
• allay
• bridle
• soothe
• quiet
• still
• tranquilize

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of ferment

Noun

In this expression, grapes first ferment on their skins for a few weeks—long enough to introduce a gentle musk to its intense notes of Meyer lemon and bright salinity. — Sam Stone, Bon Appetit Magazine, 22 June 2026

Stop by Maine & Loire for a bottle of wine (or two) to bring back to your hotel, peruse Onggi for some ferment-forward pantry staples, snag some snacks from Sissle & Daughters, and browse through rare and vintage cookbooks at Rabelais. — Jacqueline Dole, Travel + Leisure, 13 June 2026

Verb

Green cabbage, onion, and carrot, slightly fermented in apple cider vinegar and oregano. — Alex Kirshner, New York Times, 28 June 2026

These bacteria ferment milk sugar, or lactose, into flavor compounds and organic acids, which give the butter a mild tang and complex flavor. — Rosemary Trout, Scientific American, 27 June 2026