foment
/fou'ment/
Definition
- Verb:
- To instigate or stir up (trouble, discord, or rebellion): To deliberately encourage or provoke the development of something, typically something undesirable or violent.
- (Medical, archaic) To apply warmth or medicated lotions to (a part of the body): To bathe or treat with warm or hot liquids, typically for therapeutic purposes.
Examples of Usage
- Verb (Instigate):
- The agent was accused of trying to foment unrest among the population.
- His speeches were designed to foment distrust in the government.
- Verb (Medical):
- The old remedy was to foment the swollen joint with warm herbal compresses.
Advanced Usage
- "To foment a revolution": to actively encourage and incite a rebellion or overthrow of a government.
- The pamphlets were distributed to foment a revolution against the monarchy.
- "To foment discord/dissension": to sow seeds of disagreement or conflict within a group.
- The rival faction sought to foment discord within the ruling party.
Variants and Related Words
- Fomentation (noun): The act of fomenting; incitement. In medicine, the application of warm, moist substances.
- The fomentation of social unrest was his primary goal.
- A fomentation helped reduce the muscle pain.
Synonyms
- Instigate: To bring about or initiate (an action or event), often a negative one.
- Incite: To encourage or stir up (violent or unlawful behavior).
- Provoke: To stimulate or give rise to (a reaction or emotion, typically a strong or unwelcome one).
- Agitate: To make someone troubled or nervous; to campaign to arouse public concern about an issue.
Antonyms
- Quell: To put an end to (a rebellion or other disorder), typically by the use of force.
- Pacify: To quell the anger, agitation, or excitement of.
- Deter: To discourage (someone) from doing something by instilling doubt or fear of the consequences.
Related Phrases
- Agent of fomentation: A person who actively stirs up trouble.
- He was seen as an agent of fomentation, always spreading rumors.
- Climate of fomentation: A social or political atmosphere where unrest is being encouraged.
- The government crackdown occurred in a climate of fomentation.
Verb
-
bathe with warm water or medicated lotions
-
His legs should be fomented
-
-
try to stir up public opinion
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