foment

[ foh-ment ]

verb (used with object)

1. to instigate or foster (discord, rebellion, etc.); promote the growth or development of:

   to foment trouble; to foment discontent.

   Synonyms: stimulate, encourage, excite, inflame, arouse, provoke, incite

2. to apply warm water or medicated liquid, ointments, etc., to (the surface of the body).

foment

/ ˌfəʊmɛnˈteɪʃən; fəˈmɛnt /

verb

1. to encourage or instigate (trouble, discord, etc); stir up
2. med to apply heat and moisture to (a part of the body) to relieve pain and inflammation

Usage

Both foment and ferment can be used to talk about stirring up trouble: he was accused of fomenting/fermenting unrest . Only ferment can be used intransitively or as a noun: his anger continued to ferment (not foment ); rural areas were unaffected by the ferment in the cities

Derived Forms

• fomentation, noun
• foˈmenter, noun

Other Words From

• fo·menter noun
• unfo·mented adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of foment¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English fomenten, from Late Latin fōmentāre, verbal derivative of Latin fōmentum “soothing application, poultice,” contraction of unattested fōvimentum, equivalent to fōv(ēre) “to keep warm” + -i- -i- + -mentum -ment

Word History and Origins

Origin of foment¹

C15: from Late Latin fōmentāre , from Latin fōmentum a poultice, ultimately from fovēre to foster

Example Sentences

The encampment came under a violent attack by counterprotesters in early May, fomenting widespread outrage and attention.

From Los Angeles Times

Russia tried to stir up domestic terrorism by fomenting polarization.

From Los Angeles Times

After he got elected, I started to pay attention and I began to really see how he was fomenting hate among Americans.

From Salon

India blames Pakistan for fomenting the violence, a charge its neighbour denies.

From BBC

Trump’s belief that he can foment hatred and infect half the country with it— without falling victim himself—reflects a lack of emotional intelligence.

From Salon

Related Words

• abet
• arouse
• brew
• incite
• whip up