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foment

verb

Synonyms and Antonyms of foment

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"
Synonyms of foment

abet, brew, ferment, incite, instigate, pick, provoke, raise, stir (up), whip (up)
Words Related to foment

advance, cultivate, encourage, forward, foster, further, nourish, nurture, promote, sow, stimulate

detonate, set, set off, trigger

excite, galvanize, inflame (also enflame), inspire, motivate, rouse

activate, energize, enliven, fire, invigorate, jazz (up), liven (up), pep (up), quicken, stimulate, vitalize
Phrases Synonymous with foment

set in motion
Near Antonyms of foment

bridle, check, constrain, curb, discourage, hold, inhibit, regulate, rein (in), restrain, tame

allay, calm, quiet, settle, soothe, still, subdue, tranquilize (also tranquillize)

Synonym Discussion of foment

incite, instigate, abet, foment mean to spur to action. incite stresses a stirring up and urging on, and may or may not imply initiating.
    • inciting a riot
instigate definitely implies responsibility for initiating another's action and often connotes underhandedness or evil intention.
    • instigated a conspiracy
abet implies both assisting and encouraging.
    • aiding and abetting the enemy
foment implies persistence in goading.
    • fomenting rebellion

Learn More about foment

  1. See words that rhyme with foment Dictionary: Definition of foment Medical Dictionary: Definition of foment Spanish Central: Translation of foment Nglish: Translation of foment for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of foment for Arabic speakers

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