FOMENT Synonyms: 63 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'foment' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of foment are abet , incite , and instigate . While all these words mean "to spur to action," foment implies persistence in goading. // fomenting rebellion

Q: When would 'abet' be a good substitute for 'foment'?

The words abet and foment are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, abet implies both assisting and encouraging. // aiding and abetting the enemy

Q: Where would 'incite' be a reasonable alternative to 'foment'?

The words incite and foment can be used in similar contexts, but incite stresses a stirring up and urging on, and may or may not imply initiating. // inciting a riot

Q: When could 'instigate' be used to replace 'foment'?

The meanings of instigate and foment largely overlap; however, instigate definitely implies responsibility for initiating another's action and often connotes underhandedness or evil intention. // instigated a conspiracy

foment

verb

ˈfō-ˌment

Definition of foment next

as in to provoke

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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How does the verb foment contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of foment are abet, incite, and instigate. While all these words mean "to spur to action," foment implies persistence in goading.

fomenting rebellion

When would abet be a good substitute for foment?

The words abet and foment are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, abet implies both assisting and encouraging.

aiding and abetting the enemy

Where would incite be a reasonable alternative to foment?

The words incite and foment can be used in similar contexts, but incite stresses a stirring up and urging on, and may or may not imply initiating.

inciting a riot

When could instigate be used to replace foment?

The meanings of instigate and foment largely overlap; however, instigate definitely implies responsibility for initiating another's action and often connotes underhandedness or evil intention.

instigated a conspiracy

Examples Sentences

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Recent Examples of foment The popular uprising was neither organized nor steered by the opposition political parties, but Hasina resorted to the familiar narrative of blaming the opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party and the Islamist Jamaat-e-Islami party for fomenting the protests. —

Ali Riaz, Foreign Affairs, 6 Aug. 2024 Protests fomented antisemitism The House committee’s findings accuse UCLA of largely ignoring the growing encampment while being aware as early as April 27 of campus accusations of antisemitic language or acts stemming from it. —

Jaweed Kaleem, Los Angeles Times, 1 Nov. 2024 Some say the program will foment misinformation about the state of science in ancient India, for example by promoting claims that airplanes were invented there. —

Byvaishnavi Chandrashekhar, science.org, 5 Sep. 2024 In 1992, the BJP fomented a riot in which a frenzied mob tore down the offending building. —

Andrew Cockburn, Harper's Magazine, 20 Aug. 2024 See all Example Sentences for foment