foment
/fəʊˈmɛnt/
Group 22Difficulty 2/3
Definition
- (verb)
- To instigate or stir up an undesirable or violent sentiment or course of action GRE
Example in Context
Foreign agents attempted to foment discord by amplifying divisive narratives on social media platforms throughout the election cycle.
Synonyms
stir upinciteprovoke
Etymology
To warm up or instigate unrest — stirring up trouble.
- fo- (Latin) — to warm
- ment (Latin) — to instigate
Memory Aid
🍃Sounds like “foam mint”
A minty foam that FOMENTS chaos in a calm tea party, causing everyone to spill their tea!
Visual Association
🔥A group of people throwing matches into a pile of leaves — igniting a fiery protest.
Semantic Clusters
Synonym Groups
Frequently Asked Questions
What does “foment” mean on the GRE?
foment (verb) means “To instigate or stir up an undesirable or violent sentiment or course of action”. Foreign agents attempted to foment discord by amplifying divisive narratives on social media platforms throughout the election cycle.
How to remember “foment” for the GRE?
Mnemonic: “foment” sounds like “foam mint”. A minty foam that FOMENTS chaos in a calm tea party, causing everyone to spill their tea!
What are synonyms for “foment”?
Common synonyms: stir up, incite, provoke.