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Showing results for ferment. Search instead for fermen.
Definitions

ferment

[fur-ment, fer-ment] / ˈfɜr mɛnt, fərˈmɛnt /
NOUN
substance causing chemicals to split into simpler substances
Synonyms
STRONG
bacteria bacterium barm ebullition enzyme leaven leavening mold seethe simmer yeast
WEAK
fermentation agent
Antonyms
WEAK
calm contentedness happiness peace pleasure
NOUN
agitation, uprising
Synonyms
STRONGEST
commotion disquiet excitement frenzy restlessness tumult turbulence unrest upheaval uproar
STRONG
ailment brouhaha clamor convulsion disquietude disruption disturbance fever flap furor fuss heat hubbub imbroglio outcry restiveness row rumble scene stew stink stir storm to-do turmoil upturn
WEAK
hell broke loose state of unrest
Antonyms
STRONGEST
calm calmness peace stillness tranquility
STRONG
agreement frigidity harmony order quiet silence
WEAK
contentedness happiness pleasure
VERB
split into simpler substances; be agitated
Synonyms
STRONGEST
fester ripen simmer
STRONG
acidify boil brew bubble churn concoct dissolve effervesce evaporate excite fizz foam foment froth heat incite inflame leaven moil overflow provoke rise rouse seethe sour sparkle work
WEAK
be violent stir up
Antonyms
STRONG
be happy calm cool dampen discourage dull freeze pacify stop tranquilize

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Most modern artists, famously Picasso, left their home turf for some center of creative ferment, finding their voices there.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 13, 2025

It is still unknown whether chimpanzees deliberately choose fruits with higher ethanol levels, which tend to be riper and richer in sugar that can ferment.

From Science Daily • Dec. 1, 2025

By dint of pandemic pauses and far-flung locales around the U.K.’s Cotswolds and on the Welsh Borders, the lineup managed to quietly ferment and realize some of that long-ago unknown magical mystery.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 20, 2025

Does the party have the means to ferment a counterculture that is agile, tech-savvy, and fashionable?

From Slate • Jun. 12, 2025

The simple discovery by Europe of the existence of the Americas caused an intellectual ferment.

From "1491" by Charles C. Mann

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.