ferment

Meanings

• a state of agitation or turbulent change or development
  • "the political ferment produced new leadership"
• a substance capable of bringing about fermentation
• a process in which an agent causes an organic substance to break down into simpler substances; especially, the anaerobic breakdown of sugar into alcohol
• be in an agitated or excited state
  • "The Middle East is fermenting"
  • "Her mind ferments"
• work up into agitation or excitement
  • "Islam is fermenting Africa"
• cause to undergo fermentation
  • "We ferment the grapes for a very long time to achieve high alcohol content"
• go sour or spoil

Synonyms

agitation, fermentation, fermenting, sour, tempestuousness, turn, unrest, work, zymolysis, zymosis