as in provoking
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Ross Andersen, The Atlantic, 12 Mar. 2025
The hearing itself relitigated the Republican narrative that cities run by Democratic mayors are impeding federal immigration enforcement efforts and fomenting crime within their borders.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 6 Mar. 2025
His critics have accused him of fomenting anti-vaccine sentiment there, and putting children at risk by discouraging immunization.
—Sheryl Gay Stolberg, New York Times, 30 Jan. 2025
Millenarian prophets associated it with empire, persecution, and decadence, often fomenting social unrest and rebellion.
—Arthur Krystal, The New Yorker, 27 Jan. 2025
The government has accused Russia, and its ally Belarus, of fomenting a migration crisis on the EU’s eastern border with Belarus in order to create chaos and division in the EU.
—Vanessa Gera, Los Angeles Times, 15 Jan. 2025
What’s certain, however, is that NASA, the commercial space sector, and nations around the globe are fomenting their desires to renew lunar exploration.
—Jackie Wattles, CNN, 14 Jan. 2025
One of the great joys of serving in the United States military is that soldiers from many different backgrounds and races learn to come together as a unit to complete the mission at hand, but the Biden Administration seemed hellbent on creating and fomenting racial division.
—Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 13 Jan. 2025
These groups are purposefully spending millions to attack companies, fomenting polarization to support their views, with no regard for the personal wellbeing of millions of employees, or the financial wellbeing of corporations and their shareholders.
—Paolo Gaudiano, Forbes, 5 Jan. 2025
Verb
The effort kicked off last summer, when 74 fellows (out of roughly 1,600) sent a letter to the Royal Society’s leadership, reportedly out of concern that Musk’s X posts were fomenting racial violence in the United Kingdom and could therefore bring the institution into disrepute.
—Ross Andersen, The Atlantic, 12 Mar. 2025
The hearing itself relitigated the Republican narrative that cities run by Democratic mayors are impeding federal immigration enforcement efforts and fomenting crime within their borders.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 6 Mar. 2025
His critics have accused him of fomenting anti-vaccine sentiment there, and putting children at risk by discouraging immunization.
—Sheryl Gay Stolberg, New York Times, 30 Jan. 2025
Millenarian prophets associated it with empire, persecution, and decadence, often fomenting social unrest and rebellion.
—Arthur Krystal, The New Yorker, 27 Jan. 2025
The government has accused Russia, and its ally Belarus, of fomenting a migration crisis on the EU’s eastern border with Belarus in order to create chaos and division in the EU.
—Vanessa Gera, Los Angeles Times, 15 Jan. 2025
What’s certain, however, is that NASA, the commercial space sector, and nations around the globe are fomenting their desires to renew lunar exploration.
—Jackie Wattles, CNN, 14 Jan. 2025
One of the great joys of serving in the United States military is that soldiers from many different backgrounds and races learn to come together as a unit to complete the mission at hand, but the Biden Administration seemed hellbent on creating and fomenting racial division.
—Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 13 Jan. 2025
These groups are purposefully spending millions to attack companies, fomenting polarization to support their views, with no regard for the personal wellbeing of millions of employees, or the financial wellbeing of corporations and their shareholders.
—Paolo Gaudiano, Forbes, 5 Jan. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fomenting
Adjective
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Venture Colonialism There is arguably no single scholar more well versed, incisive, and thought provoking than Stern in analyzing the evolution of joint-stock corporations in the British Empire.—
Caroline Elkins,
Foreign Affairs,
22 Aug. 2023
-
Her work is technically amazing, thought provoking and has tons of heart.—
Heide Janssen,
Orange County Register,
17 Mar. 2024
Verb
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Fans booed everything from a Netflix mention to Hogan promoting Real American Beer, which Hogan owns alongside minority owner WWE.—
Alfred Konuwa,
Forbes,
8 Jan. 2025
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Each film is an immersive experience, taking viewers behind the scenes and under the surface of the sea, revealing the dangers these marine environments face, promoting ocean literacy and championing change.—
Luisa Zargani,
WWD,
8 Jan. 2025
Verb
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The suit alleges that millions of Times articles were used without authorization in training AI models, raising fundamental questions about intellectual property rights in the digital age.—
Sol Rashidi,
Forbes,
24 Dec. 2024
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The year also began with a strong El Niño event, which occurs when the ocean in the Eastern Pacific releases large amounts of heat to the atmosphere, raising global temperatures.—
Lauren Sommer,
NPR,
24 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Excess fat – particularly the tissue that surrounds the internal organs – is metabolically active, producing inflammatory molecules, altering hormone levels and impairing insulin signaling.—
Jesse Pines,
Forbes.com,
10 May 2025
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This chronic inflammatory skin condition, which causes a loss of pigmentation (color), can occur in people with ulcerative colitis.—
Sherri Gordon,
Health,
9 May 2025
Adjective
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Arson – To unlawfully and intentionally damage or attempt to damage any real or personal property of another person or entity by fire or incendiary device.—
Baltimore Sun staff,
Baltimore Sun,
9 May 2025
-
Her story underscores the dangerous, potentially life-threatening consequences of the incendiary rhetoric surrounding immigration.—
Carielle Escalante,
Mercury News,
1 May 2025
Adjective
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When faced with a provocative or forceful colleague, Judo executives don’t counter-punch.—
Stephen Miles,
Forbes.com,
8 May 2025
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The 32,000-square-foot homage to everything X rated is an ideal place for adults (18 and over) to throw a provocative bash.—
Madeleine Marr,
Miami Herald,
6 May 2025
Adjective
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Tucked inside Freeman’s | Hindman on 67th Street, the space was buzzing with good energy, beautiful clothes, and some of the most exciting names in American fashion.—
Karissa Mitchell,
Essence,
19 May 2025
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The battle to crown the winner of the NL West this season will be one of most exciting things to watch for the remainder of the year.—
Andrew Wright,
MSNBC Newsweek,
19 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Fomenting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fomenting. Accessed 22 May. 2025.
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