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

Along with their organization’s missions, the pair picked horror because of the conversations the genre provokes.

— Isabelle Farina, Variety, 20 Oct. 2026
Another question, says Professor Trotti at Ithaca College, is whether a public execution portrays strength or provokes horror.

— Patrik Jonsson, Christian Science Monitor, 10 Oct. 2026

Definition of provokes

Verb

Massaging it into the scalp promotes growth (stimulating blood flow to the area is how the magic happens), while applying it through the lengths reduces breakage and smoothes each strand for a silky, frizz-free finish.

— Reece Andavolgyi, InStyle, 23 Oct. 2026
Dietary fiber helps add bulk to stool and promotes regular bowel movements.

— Sarah Jividen, Verywell Health, 23 Oct. 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 29 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of foments

verb

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