Etymology From Middle English fomenten, a borrowing from Old French fomenter, from Late Latin fōmentāre, from Latin fōmentum (“lotion”), from fovēre (“heat, cherish”).
1
To incite or cause troublesome acts; to encourage; to instigate.
He was arrested for fomenting a riot; after all, it's bad enough being in a riot but starting one is much worse.
Foreign governments have tried to foment unrest.
4 more examples
The factor which had caused the militant five per cent to relax awhile from fomenting discord was the satellites. Sustained research in rocketry had at last succeeded in attaining one of its objectives. It had sent up a missile which stayed up.1951, John Wyndham, The Day of the Triffids, Harmondsworth: Penguin Books, published 1954, page 28:
Blogjects always have some form of agency — they can foment action and participate; they have an assertive voice within the social web.2006 March 14, Roland Piquepaille, “The new world of 'blogjects'”, in ZDNET, archived from the original on 26 Sep 2023:
Boris Johnson and senior Conservative ministers have vigorously condemned the violence in Washington, but have largely steered clear of condemning Trump for fomenting it.2021 January 7, Peter Walker, “Tories urged to suspend politicians who likened US violence to anti-Brexit protests”, in The Guardian:
“Indignation foments extreme behaviour,” the director says of a film he believes will leave audiences wondering: “How far will people go as a result of their anger?”2023 September 11, Tom Phillips, “‘A Brazilian 9/11’: film tells little-known story of failed 1988 hijacking”, in The Guardian:
2
Medicine, Sciences To apply a poultice to; to bathe with a cloth or sponge.
Sties in the eye are irritating and disfiguring. Foment with warm water; at night apply a bread-and-milk poultice.1876, Eliza Bisbee Duffey, Our Behaviour: A Manual of Etiquette and Dress of the Best American Society, Philadelphia:
The maid had entered with us, and began once more to foment the bruise upon her mistress's brow.1904, Arthur Conan Doyle, The Adventure of the Abbey Grange, Norton, published 2005, page 1178:
Etymology From Middle English fomenten, a borrowing from Old French fomenter, from Late Latin fōmentāre, from Latin fōmentum (“lotion”), from fovēre (“heat, cherish”).
1
Fomentation.
He came in no conciliatory mood, and the foment was kept up.1892, Julian Ralph, On Canada's Frontier: