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Fomenting: meaning, definitions and examples

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fomenting

 

[ foʊˈmɛntɪŋ ]

Verb
Context #1 | Verb

stirring up

To foment means to instigate or stir up, particularly in terms of unrest or rebellion. It often involves encouraging or inciting discord or conflict among people.

Synonyms

agitate, incite, instigate, provoke

Examples of usage

  • The politician was accused of fomenting unrest in the region.
  • Protests were fomented by various activist groups.
  • The article was seen as fomenting division within the community.

Translations

Translations of the word "fomenting" in other languages:

🇵🇹 fomentando

🇮🇳 उत्साहित करना

🇩🇪 anheizen

🇮🇩 mendorong

🇺🇦 підбурювання

🇵🇱 podżeganie

🇯🇵 煽る

🇫🇷 incitation

🇪🇸 incitación

🇹🇷 kışkırtma

🇰🇷 선동하는

🇸🇦 تحريض

🇨🇿 podněcování

🇸🇰 podnecovanie

🇨🇳 煽动

🇸🇮 spodbujanje

🇮🇸 hvetja

🇰🇿 қоздыру

🇬🇪 შესაძლებლობა

🇦🇿 təşviq etmə

🇲🇽 incitación

Word origin

The word 'foment' has its origins in the late Latin term 'fomentum', which means 'a warm application' or 'a poultice'. The notion was originally connected to the act of applying warmth to soothe or heal, however, the meaning shifted over time. By the 17th century, 'foment' began to be used in English primarily in a political context, referring to the act of promoting rebellion or unrest, akin to applying heat to agitate a situation. The evolution of the term illustrates how language shifts can occur based on societal or political circumstances, as it transitioned from a medical term to a metaphor for instigating conflict.

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #29,051, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.