Foment
To stir up, incite, or foster the growth of something, especially trouble, unrest, or rebellion.
verbFoment
To stir up, incite, or foster the growth of something, especially trouble, unrest, or rebellion.
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Imagine This
Before you drink a cup of hot chocolate with foamy whipped cream topping, you need to stir down the foam to make the drink taste better.
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Sounds Like
foh-MENT
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Looks Like
Foam + ment
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Remember This
Foment is used with negative or disruptive outcomes (unrest, rebellion). A memorable cue is 'fuel a movement'—to foment is to fuel or spur a movement or uproar.
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Other Forms
fomentationnoun
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Note
Foment denotes active incitement. Distinguish from ferment: ferment can refer to fermentation or agitation in general, while foment specifically means to deliberately stir up trouble or dissent.