foment

verb

fomented; fomenting; foments

transitive verb

: to promote the growth or development of : rouse, incite
foment a rebellion
was accused of fomenting a riot
fomenter noun

Did you know?

If you had sore muscles in the 1600s, your doctor might have advised you to foment the injury, perhaps with heated lotions or warm wax. Does this sound like an odd prescription? Not if you know that foment traces to the Latin verb fovēre, which means "to heat or warm" or "to soothe." The earliest documented English uses of foment appear in medical texts offering advice on how to soothe various aches and pains by the application of moist heat. In time, the idea of applying heat became a metaphor for stimulating or rousing to action. Foment then started being used in political contexts to mean "to stir up" or "to call to action."

Choose the Right Synonym for 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

Examples of foment in a Sentence

He was accused of fomenting violence. 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”.
Recent Examples on the Web The hope is that these developments will not only improve care, but also foment faith that, even after decades of neglect, change is possible – particularly among the 57% of Native American veterans who say their top reason for joining the military was a desire to serve their country. Anna Mulrine Grobe, The Christian Science Monitor, 28 Feb. 2024 The only reason why this initiative is on the ballot is so Democrat politicians can foment division and boost turnout for winning their elections. The San Diego Union-Tribune Staff, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Feb. 2024 Nonetheless, the best picture category has produced important films that have raised awareness on important issues or fomented some form of social activism because of their wide media impact and box office popularity. Steven Gaydos, Variety, 16 Feb. 2024 His agents fomented separatist rebellions that would become a war in the country’s east. Michael Schwirtz, New York Times, 25 Feb. 2024 That year, the same one in which Ukrainians ousted a pro-Kremlin leader in a popular uprising, Russia also fomented a separatist uprising in Ukraine’s industrial east, which Ukraine considers the true beginning of the current war. Laura King, Los Angeles Times, 16 Feb. 2024 Over the last week, the musician has fomented hatred of Jews. Charna Flam, Peoplemag, 9 Feb. 2024 Ukraine announced a voluntary withdrawal after months of immense Russian pressure, a choice perhaps fomented by some political realities. Nick Paton Walsh, CNN, 19 Feb. 2024 At its July summit, NATO will have to determine how to prevent Russia from continually threatening Ukraine in the long term, a scenario that would in turn give Moscow carte blanche to foment perpetual instability in Europe. Alina Polyakova, Foreign Affairs, 1 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'foment.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, to apply a warm substance to, from Late Latin fomentare, from Latin fomentum compress, from fovēre to heat, soothe; akin to Lithuanian degti to burn, Sanskrit dahati it burns

First Known Use

circa 1613, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of foment was circa 1613

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Dictionary Entries Near foment

Cite this Entry

“Foment.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/foment. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

foment

verb
: to stir up : rouse, instigate
foment rebellion
fomenter noun

Medical Definition

foment

1 of 2 noun
fo·​ment ˈfō-ˌment How to pronounce foment (audio)

foment

2 of 2 transitive verb
fo·​ment fō-ˈment How to pronounce foment (audio)
: to treat with moist heat (as for easing pain)

More from Merriam-Webster on foment

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