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
Brittany Lubeck, Verywell Health, 15 Jan. 2026
The brand’s proprietary bond-building complex features honey ferment, which has hydrating, strengthening, and anti-bacterial properties.
—Alyssa Morin, InStyle, 9 Jan. 2026
Don Tse, Forbes.com, 30 Jan. 2026
The Mele brothers fermented their dough-of-an-idea, presenting it to the city of Fort Lauderdale after opening a Pummarola location here and Emily’s Garden in the same neighborhood as Esplanade Park, where the inaugural Pizza Fest will be staged.
—Rod Stafford Hagwood, Sun Sentinel, 27 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for ferment
Noun
While recipes may vary slightly, garlic honey is essentially made by combining whole garlic cloves with honey and then letting the two ingredients ferment for weeks to months in a jar.
—Brittany Lubeck, Verywell Health, 15 Jan. 2026
The brand’s proprietary bond-building complex features honey ferment, which has hydrating, strengthening, and anti-bacterial properties.
—Alyssa Morin, InStyle, 9 Jan. 2026
Verb
Because the brewery cannot control what microbes ferment the beer, the results are deliciously unpredictable.
—Don Tse, Forbes.com, 30 Jan. 2026
The Mele brothers fermented their dough-of-an-idea, presenting it to the city of Fort Lauderdale after opening a Pummarola location here and Emily’s Garden in the same neighborhood as Esplanade Park, where the inaugural Pizza Fest will be staged.
—Rod Stafford Hagwood, Sun Sentinel, 27 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for ferment
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ferment
Noun
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According to the official readouts, Xi and Putin appeared to be projecting a strong united front, with Moscow calling bilateral relations an important stabilizing factor at a time of growing global turmoil.—
Anniek Bao,
CNBC,
5 Feb. 2026
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Gold prices climbed after major central banks added to their reserves and investors rushed to buy the traditional safe-haven asset amid global political turmoil.—
Hanna Ziady,
CNN Money,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Chris Young’s Beyond Earth column explores the intersection of space technology and policy, providing thought-provoking commentary on the latest advancements and regulatory developments in the sector.—
Chris Young,
Interesting Engineering,
9 Feb. 2026
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The International Shark Attack File, run by the Florida Museum of Natural History, classifies the attacks as provoked or unprovoked based on whether a human initiated the contact.—
Natalie Neysa Alund,
USA Today,
9 Feb. 2026
Noun
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In terms of ingredients, Momose expects to see more use of teas, roasted grains, botanicals, fermentation and culinary techniques that create depth without alcohol.—
Zareen Syed,
Chicago Tribune,
4 Feb. 2026
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After fermentation and toasting, the beans are winnowed and placed in a melanger, a stone grinder that runs for up to 72 to turn the beans into a velvety, smooth paste.—
Brock Keeling,
Oc Register,
4 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The health care company also raised its forecast range for profit this fiscal year.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
6 Feb. 2026
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In the wake of Bad Bunny's halftime show selection in September, many critics raised concerns about a potential language barrier for English-language viewers.—
Edward Segarra,
USA Today,
5 Feb. 2026
Noun
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The reigning monarch, president or dictator then unleashes the national army/armed forces upon the populace/rioters in an attempt to quell the unrest.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
3 Feb. 2026
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This has been a season in which the franchise has had to deal with significant unrest, on and off the floor.—
Tony Jones,
New York Times,
3 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Ramstead is a firefighter and paramedic who was hired by the Pasadena Fire Department in 2005 and promoted to the rank of captain in 2016.—
Clara Harter,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Feb. 2026
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This will help maintain a manageable size for indoor growing and promote a bushier appearance.—
SJ McShane,
Martha Stewart,
9 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ferment.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ferment. Accessed 10 Feb. 2026.
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