foment insurrection

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "foment insurrection" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts discussing the act of inciting or encouraging rebellion or uprising against authority or government. Example: "The political activist was accused of trying to foment insurrection among the citizens dissatisfied with the current regime."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

His declared goal is to foment insurrection in regional centers against President Saddam Hussein's rule, and to organize a new political authority.

The New York Times

After the unification of Italy as a monarchy, he remained an ardent republican and was arrested on Aug. 2, 1874, for conspiring with the socialists to foment insurrection but was released five months later.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Born in 1876, Princess Sophia Duleep Singh was the daughter of the last maharaja of the Punjab, who had been deposed, exiled to Britain, and given an enormous allowance to dissuade him from returning to foment insurrection.

The New Yorker

Butthe violence has continued unabated.Troublemaking Syria, not content withhelping foment insurrection in Iraq,has supplied Khartoum with chemical weapons and purportedly has helped the government use them in Darfur.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

He was suspected of fomenting insurrection, and some of his followers engaged in bloody uprisings.

Encyclopedia Britannica

As good Missouri Confederates, he and Shelby shared a belief that under the right circumstances, the arrival of the Stars and Bars could foment an insurrection in the slave-owning Union state.

The New York Times

India accuses Pakistan of fomenting the insurrection in Kashmir, India's only Muslim-majority state.

The New York Times

Alternatively, for those interested in literature's wider context, it now transpires that Doctor Zhivago was used as a tool for fomenting Soviet insurrection by the Central Intelligence Agency CIAA).

The Guardian

The interior, justice and peace minister, Néstor Reverol, said in a video statement that Marrero and his bodyguard Luis Alberto Paéz had been arrested for fomenting an insurrection.

The Guardian

She said the politicians who fomented the insurrection were lagging in the polls, and wanted to overthrow her as a way to cling to power.

The New York Times

U.S., E.U. and NATO officials have accused Russia of fomenting the insurrection in eastern Ukraine by channeling weapons, equipment and volunteer fighters across the porous border.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "foment insurrection" when you want to emphasize the act of instigating or promoting a rebellion rather than simply participating in it. It implies a deliberate effort to stir up unrest.

Common error

Avoid using "foment insurrection" in everyday conversation or informal writing. Its formal and serious tone is best suited for discussions of political unrest, historical events, or social movements.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "foment insurrection" functions primarily as a verb phrase, where "foment" acts as a transitive verb taking "insurrection" as its direct object. This signifies the act of inciting or stirring up a rebellion. Ludwig AI validates that this phrase is usable and correct in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Encyclopedias

20%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "foment insurrection" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe the act of inciting or encouraging a rebellion. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, though its usage is relatively rare. Primarily found in news and encyclopedic contexts, it maintains a formal and neutral register. Related phrases such as "incite rebellion" or "stir up unrest" can serve as alternatives, depending on the nuance desired. While grammatically sound, "foment insurrection" should be reserved for serious and formal discussions, avoiding overuse in casual contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

incite rebellion

Focuses on the act of provoking or urging others to rebel, rather than nurturing or developing it.

stir up unrest

Emphasizes the creation of disturbance and agitation.

instigate revolt

Highlights the initiation of a revolt, suggesting a more direct and active role.

promote sedition

Focuses on speech or action that encourages resistance against lawful authority.

spark an uprising

Suggests a sudden and forceful beginning of an insurrection.

kindle rebellion

Uses a metaphor of igniting a flame to represent the start of a rebellion.

fan the flames of revolt

Emphasizes intensifying an existing sentiment of revolt.

encourage insurgency

Highlights supporting or giving confidence to an ongoing insurgency.

trigger an insurrection

Suggests a direct action that immediately starts an insurrection.

brew discontent

Focuses on generating a general feeling of dissatisfaction that could lead to insurrection.

FAQs

How can I use "foment insurrection" in a sentence?

You can use "foment insurrection" to describe actions that incite rebellion against established authority. For example, "The government accused the activists of attempting to foment insurrection among the disgruntled populace."

What's a more common way to say "foment insurrection"?

Alternatives for "foment insurrection" include more common phrases like "incite rebellion", "stir up unrest", or "instigate revolt".

Is it always negative to "foment insurrection"?

The act of "fomenting insurrection" is generally viewed negatively, as it involves encouraging actions against established authority. However, historical context may influence the perception, especially in cases of resistance against oppressive regimes.

What is the difference between "foment insurrection" and "participate in an insurrection"?

"Foment insurrection" implies actively instigating or encouraging a rebellion, whereas participating in an insurrection means taking part in the uprising itself. One can "foment insurrection" without directly participating.