FOMENTS Synonyms: 63 Similar and Opposite Words

foments

verb

present tense third-person singular of foment

as in provokes

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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Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of foments But on Monday, there was only that pit-of-your-stomach gnawing concoction of disappointment, frustration and emptiness that foments when a chance for history is squandered. — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 20 Jan. 2026 Muschietti touched on this in his movies — the bullying of Mike Hanlon and the hate-crime murder of Adrian Mellon — including the way Pennywise fosters and foments the hatred already lurking in the hearts of Derry’s citizens. — Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 27 Oct. 2025

Recent Examples of Synonyms for foments

Verb

Now, new research reveals this kind of high-intensity training provokes a remarkably robust response throughout the bloodstream.

— Will Stone, NPR, 24 Aug. 2026
The film starts in nature, and the whole experience provokes ideas and inspires something closer to poetry than nostalgia.

— Jesse Kirshbaum, SPIN, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of provokes

Verb

The essence has a high concentration of PDRN, which promotes cellular repair and collagen production, plus niacinamide and copper peptides to leave your skin firmer and smoother.

— Essence Wiley, InStyle, 26 Aug. 2026
These include blocks on nighttime use, daily time limits and stronger content controls to guard against bullying and content that promotes eating disorders.

— Sarah Cutler, Idaho Statesman, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of promotes

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fomenting

foments

fond

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“Foments.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/foments. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of foments

verb

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