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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of ferment
Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 May 2025
The harvest and fermentation proceed as usual, and the wine ferments completely dry to an alcohol content of 11–12%.
—Per and Britt Karlsson, Forbes.com, 20 Apr. 2025
Forbes.com, 21 May 2025
So a huge amount of the farm-fresh plants, fruits, and meats on the menu have been precisely pickled, fermented or aged.
—Christopher Cameron, Robb Report, 17 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for ferment
Noun
The sourdough is not active, and this recipe is made all in one day, which doesn't give the sourdough enough time to ferment.
—Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 May 2025
The harvest and fermentation proceed as usual, and the wine ferments completely dry to an alcohol content of 11–12%.
—Per and Britt Karlsson, Forbes.com, 20 Apr. 2025
Verb
The master is given his or her own block to manage through the whole season, including tasting the fermenting grapes in the winery and the finished wine.
—Forbes.com, 21 May 2025
So a huge amount of the farm-fresh plants, fruits, and meats on the menu have been precisely pickled, fermented or aged.
—Christopher Cameron, Robb Report, 17 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for ferment
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ferment
Noun
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The turmoil at key U.S. agencies threatens everything from forecast quality to storm recovery.—
Alan Ohnsman,
Forbes.com,
2 June 2025
-
Meanwhile, the federal government agencies responsible for forecasting and disaster relief are in turmoil.—
Andrew Torgan,
CNN Money,
1 June 2025
Verb
-
Negotiating with someone who is trying to provoke you is their tactic.—
John Baldoni,
Forbes.com,
1 June 2025
-
Daily life in the villa is punctuated by games and challenges, designed to reveal secrets, provoke drama and test the strength of relationships.—
Samantha Stutsman,
People.com,
29 May 2025
Noun
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The grapes are hand-picked and undergo maceration on the skins for a few hours, then racked into terracotta jars towards the end of alcoholic fermentation, to permit proper temperature control.—
John Mariani,
Forbes.com,
1 June 2025
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That’s just a side effect of all that good fermentation going on among your gut bugs.—
Erica Sloan,
SELF,
29 May 2025
Verb
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Fisher Scientific withdrew its full-year profit forecast while the medical equipment maker expects to take a $400 million hit in sales to China, as Trump’s tariffs would likely raise the cost of parts the company sources in China.—
Ty Roush,
Forbes.com,
29 May 2025
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Stay hydrated: Since dry mouth raises gum disease risk, make sure to drink plenty of water.—
Mark Gurarie,
Health,
29 May 2025
Noun
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Fuller had been watching the Continent’s social unrest for some time, and writing about it in the Tribune.—
James Marcus,
New Yorker,
2 June 2025
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His electoral campaign had centered on the promise of putting an end to the unrest in Donbas, which had been rumbling on for years.—
Anna Batta,
The Conversation,
2 June 2025
Verb
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Pollard was promoted to be executive vice president in 1980 and then president and chief operating officer in 1981 before he was named ServiceMaster’s CEO in 1983, succeeding Wessner.—
Bob Goldsborough,
Chicago Tribune,
7 June 2025
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Drink Plenty of Water Drinking water may promote weight loss, but more research is needed.—
Carrie Madormo,
Verywell Health,
6 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Ferment.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ferment. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.
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