ferment 1 of 2

noun

ˈfər-ˌment How to pronounce ferment (audio)
Definition of fermentnext
as in turmoil
a disturbed or uneasy state the city was in ferment as its residents nervously awaited the outcome of the referendum vote

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ferment

2 of 2

verb

(ˌ)fər-ˈment How to pronounce ferment (audio)
as in to provoke
to bring (something volatile or intense) into being the various social and economic factors that fermented the major cultural change during the U.S. during the 1960s

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Example Sentences

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 ferment
Noun
Set amid the creative ferment of Paris at a turning point in music and culture, the film traces the bond between two young artists in the years before the world knew their names. — Justin Kroll, Deadline, 9 Oct. 2026 Here, the exclusive tech is enhanced with firming peptides, caffeine, and marine ferment, plus brightening kakudu plum extract. — Jenny Berg, Vogue, 6 Oct. 2026
Verb
The bread is made using grain that came from France more than 100 years ago, and Wegmans’ artisans ferment the dough for 48 hours to develop its flavor. — Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 9 Oct. 2026 Some research suggests that fermented dairy foods can benefit the gut microbiome (the community of microbes in the gut), which may, in turn, affect sleep quality. — Sarah Jividen, Verywell Health, 8 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for ferment
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ferment
  1. turmoil
  2. provoke
  3. fermentation
  4. raise
  5. unrest
  6. promote
Noun
  • Throughout that year, as Israelis poured into the streets to protest Netanyahu's far-right government and its plan to weaken the judiciary, Netanyahu's security chiefs warned that regional enemies could take advantage of the turmoil to attack.
    — Daniel Estrin, NPR, 25 Oct. 2026
  • France, whose 10-year bond yield touched 5% last week for the first time since 2002, got a reprieve from recent turmoil after Moody’s decided to maintain its Aa3 credit rating and negative outlook on the nation.
    — Ananya Chetia,Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 25 Oct. 2026
Definition of turmoil
Verb
  • North Korea denied responsibility for the explosions and warned of strong retaliation if provoked.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 21 Oct. 2026
  • In 2012 American entrepreneur Russ George spread roughly 100 tons of iron in the North Pacific, provoking international criticism that a commercial venture had begun geoengineering without adequate oversight.
    — Alec Luhn, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of provoke
Noun
  • The firm produces the indigo through microbial fermentation and synthetic biology, rather than direct photosynthesis.
    — Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 21 Oct. 2026
  • It’s made via a specific fermentation process using cooked soybeans with Bacillus subtilis var.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of fermentation
Verb
  • In 2022, the central bank raised rates by three-quarters of a point six days before the midterm elections, part of its fight against the worst inflation in four decades.
    — Aoife Walsh, Washington Post, 27 Oct. 2026
  • And the evidence uncovered by Chair Loudermilk raises serious questions about Speaker Pelosi's role in those decisions.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of raise
Noun
  • The unrest culminated in rioting and looting over the weekend, with officials estimating that the damages could be worth hundreds of millions of euros.
    — Chloe Taylor, CNBC, 21 Oct. 2026
  • France has had two consecutive quiet nights since the weekend’s unrest.
    — Samuel Petrequin, Los Angeles Times, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of unrest
Verb
  • Chater doesn’t disagree, particularly as promoting the album has prompted more conversations about the subject.
    — Lily Moayeri, SPIN, 21 Oct. 2026
  • Abe Flores, deputy director of Create CA, a nonprofit advocacy group that promotes arts education for California students, said the challenges SCUSD cited were not unique to the district.
    — Chaewon Chung Updated October 21, Sacbee.com, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of promote

Browse Nearby Words

ferine
ferment
fermentation
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Cite this Entry

“Ferment.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ferment. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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