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

The owners slow-ferment their pizza dough for 24 to 48 hours and make all sauces from scratch. — Sacbee.com, 17 Aug. 2026

This was stirred into corn beer, filtered, mixed with cornmeal, and left for several days to ferment before being heated to drive off the remaining moisture. — Kimon De Greef, Longreads, 4 Aug. 2026

Verb

Some of these varieties are also traditionally fermented, a process that can provide probiotics, notes Messer. — Daryl Austin, USA Today, 24 Aug. 2026

Traditional soy sauce, originating from easy East Asia, is made by fermenting soybeans, wheat, and salt with a mold called Aspergillus (or koji). — Merve Ceylan, HEALTH, 21 Aug. 2026