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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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
Three of the four are co-ferments, which means the beans are put in anaerobic tanks, where oxygen is extracted and fruit is added. — Kansas City Star, 21 Sep. 2026 Start collecting jars from thrift stores, and your homemade ferments will be good enough to gift. — Melissa Kravitz Hoeffner, Martha Stewart, 16 Sep. 2026
Verb
The distinctive bases are made to a ratio of 80 percent water to 20 percent flour, and then fermented for two days, resulting in an exceedingly crisp and airy baked crust. — Kat Chen, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Sep. 2026 During the same period, in what would have broken Combs’ sobriety streak, officials reportedly caught Combs with a homemade concoction of fermenting apples, Fanta, and sugar. — Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 21 Sep. 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
  • But deeper into the hills of the Ivy League institution, a homemade banner hanging from student co-op housing Saturday signals roiling turmoil.
    — Taylor Galgano, CNN Money, 4 Oct. 2026
  • The song, written with Dan Wilson, isn’t just a story of the turmoil that befell the band post-2003.
    — Marissa R. Moss, Rolling Stone, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of turmoil
Verb
  • From this format emerges the tacit thesis that the Bicentennial cultural activities excelled at provoking critical, imaginative reflections on America’s past and future from artmakers and from ordinary citizens alike.
    — Anna Kornbluh, ARTnews.com, 7 Oct. 2026
  • She never has been diagnosed with an underlying seizure disorder, such as epilepsy, and a medical test to provoke a seizure in Linton after the crash came back with no abnormal brain activity, prosecutors said.
    — James Queally, Los Angeles Times, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of provoke
Noun
  • Initially, Albala was approached by London imprint Quarto about creating a book on fermentation and whether claims of its health benefits are legitimate.
    — Sean Timberlake, Sacbee.com, 7 Oct. 2026
  • The researchers are even looking at the gases produced during fermentation.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of fermentation
Verb
  • Key justices appeared wary about the potential sweep of litigation, but torn over the complex questions of federal and state law raised by the case.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Boat trips to Capri and Positano are on the doorstep, as are hair-raising Vespa tours on hairpin roads and private visits to Pompei and Herculaneum.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of raise
Noun
  • India, Indonesia, Pakistan, Bangladesh and the Philippines are among the countries that are most exposed to food security risk from the super El Niño and also face the highest risk of civil unrest due to rising prices, Verisk Maplecroft said.
    — Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 8 Oct. 2026
  • French youths have been demonstrating over poor conditions at school buildings, and analysts expect unrest to intensify after a teenager’s hand was blown off by a riot police sting grenade.
    — Morgan Chalfant, semafor.com, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of unrest
Verb
  • The group emphasized that its request isn't intended to promote robocalls.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 8 Oct. 2026
  • The actor stopped by The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon to promote their latest film, Digger (and gamely participate in a cooking segment with Wishbone Kitchen).
    — Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 7 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 9 Oct. 2026.

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