foment

/fəˈment/ (bre, ipa) · /fəʊˈment/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈfō-ˌment fō-ˈment/ (ame, mw)

foment — verb

  • fomentpresent simple I / you / we / they
  • fomentshe / she / it
  • fomentedpast simple
  • fomenting-ing form

1. to deliberately encourage the growth of conflict, discontent, or rebellion, espe

1.動詞及物C1
釋義

to deliberately encourage the growth of conflict, discontent, or rebellion, especially through speech or writing aimed at stirring others to take action

例句

Umar was tried for fomenting rebellion among the mining communities near the border.

foment + rebellion (strongest collocation)

Olumide argued that the new tax law would foment widespread discontent among small business owners.

foment + discontent

同義詞
  • incite

    stronger and more urgent; suggests direct encouragement to violent action

  • instigate

    emphasises the initial spark; the person who starts the trouble

  • stir up

    less formal, common in everyday language; broader range of objects

  • provoke

    focuses on the reaction; the instigator's action that triggers an emotional or aggressive response

反義詞
  • quell

    to put an end to unrest or rebellion, the opposite of stirring it up

  • calm

    to reduce tension or anger rather than increase it

文法句型

foment + [abstract noun: rebellion / unrest / discord / discontent / division]

用法筆記

Almost always used with a negative connotation. The object is typically an abstract noun referring to social or political trouble — rebellion, unrest, discord, discontent, division, hostility. Frequently appears in news reporting and political analysis.

常見錯誤

❌The policy fomented economic growth.
✅The policy stimulated economic growth.
💡'foment' is only used for negative, destructive development, not positive growth.
❌The speech fomented the crowd.
✅The speech fomented unrest among the crowd.
💡'foment' takes an abstract noun as object, not a direct human object.

2. to apply warmth and moisture — for example, heated water or a treated lotion — t

2.動詞及物
釋義

to apply warmth and moisture — for example, heated water or a treated lotion — to a part of the body for relief from soreness or swelling

例句

Before modern antibiotics, healers would foment infected wounds with warm herbal compresses.

archaic medical usage: foment + wound + with + warm substance

Tomoki's grandmother fomented his swollen ankle using a cloth soaked in warm salt water.

同義詞
  • poultice

    noun; a soft heated dressing applied to the skin; also used as a verb rarely

文法句型

foment + [body part] + with + [warm substance]

用法筆記

This is the original, literal meaning of 'foment', from the Latin 'fomentum' (a warm lotion). It is now extremely rare in everyday English; the synonymous expression 'apply a warm compress' is far more common. Most modern readers will encounter this sense only in historical or medical texts.

常見錯誤

❌The nurse fomented the patient's fever.
✅The nurse applied a warm compress to the patient's sore back.
💡'foment' is used for external application on a body part, not for systemic conditions like fever.