as in to provoke
to bring (something volatile or intense) into being
John Adams's wife, Abigail, told him that if women were not remembered by the new American government, they would "foment a Rebellion and will not hold ourselves bound by any Laws in which we have no voice or Representation"
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Recent Examples of foment
Israel has deeply weakened Iran’s axis of non-state actors in the region, but Tehran retains the ability to foment militias to fight against American and Israeli troops and interests.
—
Narges Bajoghli, Time, 19 June 2025
The coup: Before the coup, the CIA, along with the British Secret Intelligence Service (SIS), helped foment anti-Mossadegh fervor using propaganda.
—Helen Regan, CNN Money, 18 June 2025
The dictatorship entrenches itself by fomenting fear and anger on both sides.
—Robert B. Reich, Hartford Courant, 10 June 2025
If tensions grow between Iran, Israel, and the United States, Tehran could lash out at Azerbaijan militarily or by using its influence with Shiite clerics to foment internal unrest—particularly if Baku appears to be supporting Israel.
—Zaur Shiriyev, Foreign Affairs, 26 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for foment
Narges Bajoghli, Time, 19 June 2025
The coup: Before the coup, the CIA, along with the British Secret Intelligence Service (SIS), helped foment anti-Mossadegh fervor using propaganda.
—Helen Regan, CNN Money, 18 June 2025
The dictatorship entrenches itself by fomenting fear and anger on both sides.
—Robert B. Reich, Hartford Courant, 10 June 2025
If tensions grow between Iran, Israel, and the United States, Tehran could lash out at Azerbaijan militarily or by using its influence with Shiite clerics to foment internal unrest—particularly if Baku appears to be supporting Israel.
—Zaur Shiriyev, Foreign Affairs, 26 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for foment
Recent Examples of Synonyms for foment
Verb
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News of the plan, which was developed by city administrators but has not been publicly vetted or discussed, has provoked considerable consternation in political, downtown, cultural and preservation circles.—
Andres Viglucci,
Miami Herald,
26 June 2025
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While rare, there have been cases of attacks on humans when provoked or during spearfishing when blood or movement may trigger their instincts.—
Alice Gibbs,
MSNBC Newsweek,
23 June 2025
Verb
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Topline The Trump administration sued the city of Los Angeles on Monday, claiming its policy limiting cooperation with federal immigration enforcement efforts promotes attacks on law enforcement, the latest legal battle centered around the L.A. protests against federal deportation raids.—
Sara Dorn,
Forbes.com,
30 June 2025
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Target has tapped the promotional strategy frequently in recent years, cutting or maintaining prices on important seasonal categories such as toys or Thanksgiving meal supplies, while also promoting lists of related items as falling under a certain amount.—
Glen Luke Flanagan,
Fortune,
30 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Foment.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/foment. Accessed 4 Jul. 2025.
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