foment

Definition

To incite or cause troublesome acts; to encourage; to instigate.

Etymology

From Middle English fomenten, a borrowing from Old French fomenter, from Late Latin fōmentāre, from Latin fōmentum (“lotion”), from fovēre (“heat, cherish”).

Example Sentences

• "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."
• "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."