as in turmoil
a disturbed or uneasy state
the city was in ferment as its residents nervously awaited the outcome of the referendum vote
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to provoke
to bring (something volatile or intense) into being
the various social and economic factors that fermented the major cultural change during the U.S. during the 1960s
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of ferment
Jill Barth, Forbes, 14 Mar. 2025
The man poured, Chekhov drank, the bubbles from the ferment seemed to rise into his eyes.
—Daniel Mason, Harper's Magazine, 2 Dec. 2024
Kathleen Magramo, CNN Money, 2 Apr. 2025
When resistant starch gets to the colon, it's fermented by gut bacteria and turned into short-chain fatty acids.
—Sarah Scott, Verywell Health, 31 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ferment
Noun
This intellectual and cultural ferment has given rise to an impressive array of restaurants that punch well above their weight for a city of Providence's size.
—Jill Barth, Forbes, 14 Mar. 2025
The man poured, Chekhov drank, the bubbles from the ferment seemed to rise into his eyes.
—Daniel Mason, Harper's Magazine, 2 Dec. 2024
Verb
One Japanese company is also making a special brew of sake fermented in space.
—Kathleen Magramo, CNN Money, 2 Apr. 2025
When resistant starch gets to the colon, it's fermented by gut bacteria and turned into short-chain fatty acids.
—Sarah Scott, Verywell Health, 31 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ferment
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ferment
Noun
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But past Democratic and Republican presidents have used their parole authorities to allow people from countries in turmoil to come to the United States, including Soviet and Vietnamese citizens.—
Jay Weaver,
Miami Herald,
15 Apr. 2025
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More: Latest twist in tariff turmoil: China cuts off flow of critical minerals.—
Joey Garrison,
USA Today,
14 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Brit, still processing, clocks that Kenya was angling for a full-on meltdown, trying to provoke her into playing the aggressor.—
Shelby Stewart,
Essence,
14 Apr. 2025
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Tariffs essentially act as an indirect tax on consumers, provoke retaliatory measures, drive inflation higher, and destabilize financial markets.—
Christian Catalini,
Forbes.com,
11 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Inferring from these results, the researchers believe that fermentation could unlock the food options available to astronauts on long journeys, since the process could be applied to preserve fresh foods for longer.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
14 Apr. 2025
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That’s where fermentation offers an interesting solution.—
Katie Stone,
Vogue,
31 Mar. 2025
Verb
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At the same time, these updates raise questions about the Oscars broadcast itself.—
Clayton Davis,
Variety,
11 Apr. 2025
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But at the mention of Wade, the mood in the room immediately shifted; all around me, eyebrows raised.—
D. Watkins,
The Atlantic,
10 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Haiti has for several years been under a Level 4 Do Not Travel warning from the U.S. State Department, citing kidnappings, crime, civil unrest and limited healthcare.—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
16 Apr. 2025
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Geopolitical unrest: Will global conflicts reshape your supply chain?—
Guy Courtin,
Forbes.com,
16 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Infielder David Villar was promoted from Triple-A Sacramento to take his place.—
Jerry McDonald,
Mercury News,
19 Apr. 2025
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While the lack of ventilation can provide just the opposite effect, keeping the shower curtain closed promotes a more even drying process for the liner.—
Patricia Shannon,
Southern Living,
18 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Ferment.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ferment. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.
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