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Foment: meaning, definitions and examples

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foment

 

[ fəʊˈmɛnt ]

Verb
Context #1 | Verb

social unrest

To foment means to instigate or stir up an undesirable or violent sentiment or action. It often refers to the encouragement of discontent or rebellion, typically in a political or social context. The term usually carries a negative connotation, suggesting that the actions taken lead to chaos or upheaval, often without regard for the consequences. Fomenting can involve inciting people to protest or rebel against authority.

Synonyms

agitate, incite, instigate, provoke

Examples of usage

  • The group aimed to foment revolution across the country.
  • He was accused of fomenting dissent among the workers.
  • The speeches were designed to foment anger against the government.

Translations

Translations of the word "foment" in other languages:

🇵🇹 fomentar

🇮🇳 उत्तेजित करना

🇩🇪 anregen

🇮🇩 mendorong

🇺🇦 сприяти

🇵🇱 pobudzać

🇯🇵 促進する (そくしんする)

🇫🇷 favoriser

🇪🇸 fomentar

🇹🇷 teşvik etmek

🇰🇷 촉진하다

🇸🇦 تشجيع

🇨🇿 podporovat

🇸🇰 podporovať

🇨🇳 促进 (cùjìn)

🇸🇮 spodbujati

🇮🇸 hvetja

🇰🇿 ынталандыру

🇬🇪 შესაძლებლობის გაწვდილი

🇦🇿 təşviq etmək

🇲🇽 fomentar

Word origin

The word 'foment' comes from the Latin word 'fomentare', which in turn is derived from 'fomentum', meaning 'a warm application or poultice'. The original sense of 'foment' referred to the warming of a body part to aid healing, suggesting a nurturing action. Over time, the meaning evolved to include the idea of stimulating or instigating, particularly in the context of social or political unrest. By the late 17th century, the modern connotation related to stirring up trouble or unrest emerged, marking a shift from its medical roots to a more combative and provocative use in the social and political arenas. This change reflects the dynamic nature of language, as words often shift in meaning based on the cultural and historical contexts in which they are used.

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #27,903, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.