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foment
[ foh-ment ]
/ foʊˈmɛnt /
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This shows grade level based on the word's complexity.
verb (used with object)
to instigate or foster (discord, rebellion, etc.); promote the growth or development of: to foment trouble; to foment discontent.
to apply warm water or medicated liquid, ointments, etc., to (the surface of the body).
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Origin of foment
OTHER WORDS FROM foment
fo·ment·er, nounun·fo·ment·ed, adjectiveWORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH foment
ferment, fomentWords nearby foment
folly, Folsom, Folsom man, Folsom point, Fomalhaut, foment, fomentation, fomes, fomite, fomites, FOMO
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022
How to use foment in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for foment
foment
/ (fəˈmɛnt) /
verb (tr)
to encourage or instigate (trouble, discord, etc); stir up
med to apply heat and moisture to (a part of the body) to relieve pain and inflammation
Derived forms of foment
fomentation (ˌfəʊmɛnˈteɪʃən), nounfomenter, nounWord Origin for foment
C15: from Late Latin fōmentāre, from Latin fōmentum a poultice, ultimately from fovēre to foster
usage for foment
Both foment and ferment can be used to talk about stirring up trouble: he was accused of fomenting/fermenting unrest . Only ferment can be used intransitively or as a noun: his anger continued to ferment (not foment); rural areas were unaffected by the ferment in the cities
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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