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
Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 16 Feb. 2026
Fischer skillfully braids the three stories together, situating them in an atmosphere of creative ferment and reckless churn.
—Michael O’Donnell, The Atlantic, 10 Feb. 2026
Mike Desimone, Robb Report, 15 Mar. 2026
First, it's naturally fermented, then it's aged in wooden casks.
—Randi Gollin, Martha Stewart, 12 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for ferment
Noun
As the kombucha ferments, a thin skin of liquid forms on the top.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 16 Feb. 2026
Fischer skillfully braids the three stories together, situating them in an atmosphere of creative ferment and reckless churn.
—Michael O’Donnell, The Atlantic, 10 Feb. 2026
Verb
This wine is co-fermented with Cabernet Franc, which adds an extra layer of brightness and earthiness in the mid-palate.
—Mike Desimone, Robb Report, 15 Mar. 2026
First, it's naturally fermented, then it's aged in wooden casks.
—Randi Gollin, Martha Stewart, 12 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for ferment
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ferment
Noun
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Rizvi’s The Great Shamsuddin Family is a social satire set over the course of a single day in Delhi, following a writer racing to meet a crucial deadline while managing her family’s escalating turmoil.—
Liz Shackleton,
Deadline,
19 Mar. 2026
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On today’s Big Take podcast, a look at how Iran could throw energy supplies into turmoil even after shooting stops.—
David Gura,
Bloomberg,
19 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The ur-mutiny, encompassing some of these, provoking and provoked by others, is MAGA.—
George Packer,
The Atlantic,
16 Mar. 2026
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ByteDance’s legal team will now work on resolving and identifying legal issues surrounding the launch, while its engineering team will reportedly work on adding safeguards to stop the model from generating content that could provoke copyright disputes.—
Will McCurdy,
PC Magazine,
15 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The team achieved this through anaerobic fermentation—a process where microbes break down organic matter without oxygen, releasing nutrients in the system.—
Rupendra Brahambhatt,
Interesting Engineering,
21 Mar. 2026
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The result is a tangy flavor, higher acidity, and thicker consistency than fresh milk, thanks to protein coagulation during fermentation.—
Emily Saladino,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
20 Mar. 2026
Verb
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He’s known as someone who could raise the tide of an entire defense based on his football IQ and his propensity for getting his teammates properly aligned.—
Joseph Hoyt,
Dallas Morning News,
20 Mar. 2026
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The Rochester Township Council held its regular meeting on Thursday evening, and it was packed with people who were raising concerns about chemical odors lingering in their neighborhood.—
Jessica Riley,
CBS News,
20 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The Basij have long operated as a national paramilitary force under the command of Iran's Islamic theocratic rulers, playing a major role in violently quashing anti-government protests, including the unprecedented wave of unrest in January.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
17 Mar. 2026
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Elsewhere, experts have warned of social unrest as pump prices soar, rattling governments in Southeast Asia.—
Jeronimo Gonzalez,
semafor.com,
17 Mar. 2026
Verb
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There are no plans dfor a flotilla promoted by Movimiento Democracia to sail from Miami for now.—
Sarah Moreno
March 16,
Miami Herald,
17 Mar. 2026
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Kahana said Ach told him about Ad Kan's connection to Al-Majd, describing it as run by both Arabs and Israelis in Israel but not wanting to promote its Israeli ties.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
16 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ferment.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ferment. Accessed 22 Mar. 2026.
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