as in provoking
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as in promoting
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 fomenting
Timothy Depeugh, Charlotte Observer, 7 Nov. 2025
As national headlines rightfully celebrated Parks’ courage and the charismatic leadership of King in fomenting and sustaining the boycott, Gilmore continued to cook in quiet obscurity.
—Time, 6 Nov. 2025
In the run-up to the polls, media outlets were hacked, several people were arrested for allegedly fomenting violent unrest, and Moldova’s embassy in Brussels was evacuated over a bomb threat.
—Semafor Events, semafor.com, 2 Oct. 2025
Questions will now be asked about whether the host team played a role in fomenting the aggression.
—Don Riddell, CNN Money, 29 Sep. 2025
If the unspoken goal of the administration is to centralize power around itself and create a perception of instability surrounding the status quo, then fomenting mistrust in data is an effective approach.
—Sheldon Jacobson, Twin Cities, 25 Sep. 2025
The company probably didn't mean to draw attention to the fact that Liquid Glass occasionally renders the boundaries between different parts of a window indistinct, fomenting border disputes.
—ArsTechnica, 15 Sep. 2025
In May, 1978, long after the first unrest in Qom, Farah seemed not to have even heard of the ayatollah who was fomenting rebellion from Iraq.
—Daniel Immerwahr, New Yorker, 4 Aug. 2025
But a rump of conservative Catholic traditionalists with money and political power are fomenting division.
—R. R. Reno, Foreign Affairs, 13 Nov. 2018
Verb
All of which is to say that alcohol, that timeless ferment fomenting next day regrets since the dawn of civilization, now has competition.
—Timothy Depeugh, Charlotte Observer, 7 Nov. 2025
As national headlines rightfully celebrated Parks’ courage and the charismatic leadership of King in fomenting and sustaining the boycott, Gilmore continued to cook in quiet obscurity.
—Time, 6 Nov. 2025
In the run-up to the polls, media outlets were hacked, several people were arrested for allegedly fomenting violent unrest, and Moldova’s embassy in Brussels was evacuated over a bomb threat.
—Semafor Events, semafor.com, 2 Oct. 2025
Questions will now be asked about whether the host team played a role in fomenting the aggression.
—Don Riddell, CNN Money, 29 Sep. 2025
If the unspoken goal of the administration is to centralize power around itself and create a perception of instability surrounding the status quo, then fomenting mistrust in data is an effective approach.
—Sheldon Jacobson, Twin Cities, 25 Sep. 2025
The company probably didn't mean to draw attention to the fact that Liquid Glass occasionally renders the boundaries between different parts of a window indistinct, fomenting border disputes.
—ArsTechnica, 15 Sep. 2025
In May, 1978, long after the first unrest in Qom, Farah seemed not to have even heard of the ayatollah who was fomenting rebellion from Iraq.
—Daniel Immerwahr, New Yorker, 4 Aug. 2025
But a rump of conservative Catholic traditionalists with money and political power are fomenting division.
—R. R. Reno, Foreign Affairs, 13 Nov. 2018
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fomenting
Adjective
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The 2024 three-part docuseries American Nightmare dives headfirst into several thought-provoking issues, like victim blaming and the glaring inadequacies in the criminal justice system.—
James Mercadante,
PEOPLE,
25 Oct. 2025
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The fish-out-of-water comedy costarred Sam Shepard and reminded audiences of Keaton’s deft skills at leading a movie that mixed the funny with the dramatic and thought-provoking.—
Dan Heching,
CNN Money,
11 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Weng has been offered a new research project that will contribute to the improved reliability and effectiveness of legged robotic systems by advancing evaluation standards and by promoting transparency regarding the capabilities – and limitations – of these systems, according to a press release.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
5 Nov. 2025
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While the Bridgerton star has been promoting the Wicked sequel, he has also been given the title of PEOPLE’s Sexiest Man Alive for 2025.—
Gabrielle Rockson,
PEOPLE,
5 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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That’s a solid dramatic question, but one that might’ve been more productive as an inciting incident, as too much of this low-budget drama shuffles around subjects that demand incisive action in 2025, effectively creating a subtle irony that undermines the film’s own point.—
Alison Foreman,
IndieWire,
4 Nov. 2025
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There's a naivety and sweetness to them that's ripped away in an instant when the two passionately make love in the barren house, the inciting incident for the demise of their relationship.—
Billie Melissa,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
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It is measured in the millions of students striving for opportunity—most of them raising children, working jobs, serving in uniform, or making rent and mortgage payments with other bills competing for their attention.—
Yolanda Watson Spiva,
Fortune,
8 Nov. 2025
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One person might earn more while the other contributes in different but equally meaningful ways, like managing the home, raising kids and planning for the future.—
Annie Nova,
CNBC,
8 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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In addition to her injury, Masters also suffers from hypothyroidism, which occurs when the thyroid gland doesn't make and release enough thyroid hormone in the bloodstream, as well as Lyme disease, an inflammatory illness usually caused by an infected tick bite.—
Mary Kekatos,
ABC News,
6 Nov. 2025
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Ye’s inflammatory remarks resulted in corporations such as Universal Music Group, Balenciaga, Gap and Adidas cutting ties with him.—
Michael Saponara,
Billboard,
6 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Musk’s incendiary political rhetoric and endorsement of AfD, Germany’s extremist, anti-immigrant party, have weighed on left-leaning consumers’ interest in the Tesla brand there.—
Lora Kolodny,
CNBC,
5 Nov. 2025
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Fireworks or other incendiary devices.—
Ed Masley,
AZCentral.com,
4 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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That’s the question posed by a provocative ad running ahead of screenings at this year’s Thessaloniki Film Festival, highlighting the dire state of film funding in Greece.—
Christopher Vourlias,
Variety,
7 Nov. 2025
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This mother makes what the star did in the equally provocative Mother seem like child’s play.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
6 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Familiar Is a Trojan Horse There’s something subversive about using ordinary details in extraordinary stories.—
JD Barker,
Rolling Stone,
3 Nov. 2025
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Juergen Teller, fashion’s most subversive photographer, known for his dark wit and stark images, has been plumbing the depths — of love, religion, friendship and family.—
Samantha Conti,
Footwear News,
31 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Fomenting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fomenting. Accessed 13 Nov. 2025.
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