ferment

nouns

a state of agitation or turbulent change or development

"the political ferment produced new leadership"; "social unrest"

agitation, ferment, fermentation, tempestuousness, unrest

a substance capable of bringing about fermentation

ferment

is a type of (narrower)

a particular kind or species of matter with uniform properties

"shigella is one of the most toxic substances known to man"

substance

a process in which an agent causes an organic substance to break down into simpler substances; especially, the anaerobic breakdown of sugar into alcohol

ferment, fermentation, fermenting, zymolysis, zymosis

verbs

be in an agitated or excited state

"The Middle East is fermenting"; "Her mind ferments"

ferment

is derived from

fermentation

is a type of (narrower)

be in an agitated emotional state

"The customer was seething with anger"

boil, seethe

work up into agitation or excitement

"Islam is fermenting Africa"

ferment

is derived from

fermentation

is a type of (narrower)

arouse or excite feelings and passions

"The ostentatious way of living of the rich ignites the hatred of the poor"; "The refugees' fate stirred up compassion around the world"; "Wake old feelings of hatred"

fire up, heat, ignite, inflame, stir up, wake

cause to undergo fermentation

"We ferment the grapes for a very long time to achieve high alcohol content"; "The vintner worked the wine in big oak vats"

ferment, work

is derived from

fermentation

is derived from

fermenting

go sour or spoil

"The milk has soured"; "The wine worked"; "The cream has turned--we have to throw it out"

ferment, sour, turn, work

is derived from

fermentation