foment
verb (used with object)
to instigate or foster (discord, rebellion, etc.); promote the growth or development of.
had been fomenting
-
past perfect progressiveof foment.past perfect progressive
Used to describe an action that was ongoing continuously in the past up until another past event interrupted it.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
By the time Nirvana released “Nevermind” in 1991, rock’s underground rebellion had been fomenting for years, and certainly not just in Seattle.
From Seattle Times ● Feb. 2, 2023
I found that the doctor had been fomenting its wounded lip with a strong infusion of tobacco, and afterwards poulticing it with the chopped leaves of the same plant.
From With Axe and Rifle by H. Meyer
Plans for this eventual rejuvenation had been fomenting throughout the very tiresome and very monotonous journey.
From The Hero by Elaine Wilber
For some weeks, certain pure spirits had been fomenting the small beer of civil war, and in spite of vaticanation, it broke out at last, and was a rash proceeding.
From The Orpheus C. Kerr Papers, Series 1 by R. H. (Robert Henry) Newell
Catherine at the same time summoned to liberty the oppressed and persecuted Greeks; she sent a squadron to support the rising which she had been fomenting for some months past.
From A Popular History of France from the Earliest Times, Volume 6 by Robert Black
