foment suspicion

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "foment suspicion" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing actions or behaviors that provoke or encourage doubt or mistrust in a situation or among individuals. Example: "The leaked documents seemed to foment suspicion among the employees about the company's financial practices."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

Formal & Business

News & Media

Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

His advisors know they need a "game changer" and devise two possibilities: fomenting suspicion over Obama's ties to Bill Ayers and Jeremiah Wright, or picking an attention-grabbing running mate.

Huffington Post

Unfortunately, our leaders have far too often encouraged discussion about what each party stands to lose from a peace agreement rather than what we have to gain, building barriers, fomenting suspicion, embracing worst case scenarios, desperately searching out arguments against moving forward.

Huffington Post

REDD, in addition to fomenting suspicions on the right about another big United Nations program, has picked up critics on the left who fear it will be hijacked for pay for tree-farming projects that actually harm real forests and may also undermine the rights of indigenous forest people.

The New York Times

He sent presents the cheating husband would find, so as to arouse suspicion and foment distrust between the couple.

Los Angeles Times

Yes, it is frustrating to listen to those who foment fear, suspicion and intolerance, who don't know the mistakes of history, and are in the midst of repeating them.

The Washington Post

Finucane's death fuelled suspicions of collusion between the security forces and loyalist paramilitaries while fomenting distrust between Dublin and London.

The Guardian

The National Union of Students accuses the government of fomenting "McCarthy-like suspicion between students and lecturers".The imam at London Metropolitan University, Musa Admani, concedes that some students hold extreme views.

The Economist

Not only do the mollies run the risk of capital punishment if they are caught, but the city is in a moral panic fomented by political suspicion and religious fervour.

The Guardian - Books

He was previously arrested in 2007 and spent four months in prison on suspicion of fomenting unrest in Iran.

The New York Times

Meanwhile, the suspicion was fomented that Tshekedi wanted the chieftainship for himself, driving a further wedge between uncle and nephew.

The Guardian

PAGE A11 SUDAN BRIEFLY ARRESTS ISLAMIST Hassan al-Turabi, a flamboyant Islamist leader who was once friends with Osama bin Laden, was arrested on suspicion of fomenting a rebellion.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "foment suspicion" when you want to emphasize the deliberate act of stirring up or encouraging doubt and mistrust. It's suitable when someone is actively trying to make others suspicious.

Common error

Avoid using "foment suspicion" when a more neutral term like "raise questions" or "trigger skepticism" would be more appropriate. "Foment" implies an intent to create trouble, which may not always be accurate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "foment suspicion" functions as a verb-noun construction, where "foment" (verb) acts upon "suspicion" (noun). It describes the act of instigating or encouraging suspicion, implying a deliberate effort to create doubt or mistrust. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

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News & Media

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Formal & Business

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Less common in

Science

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News & Media

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "foment suspicion" is grammatically correct and describes the act of deliberately instigating doubt or mistrust. While usable in English, it currently has a rare occurrence across analyzed sources. Ludwig AI validates that this phrase follows standard grammar rules, so it is technically correct. Related phrases include "stir up suspicion" and "arouse suspicion", though the choice depends on the intended nuance. Overusing the phrase in neutral contexts could be seen as overly accusatory. The phrase serves to assign blame and create negative sentiment, and is most often found in news and media.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

stir up suspicion

Replaces "foment" with "stir up", implying a more active and direct instigation of suspicion.

arouse suspicion

Uses "arouse" instead of "foment", suggesting a weaker or more passive triggering of suspicion.

incite suspicion

Substitutes "foment" with "incite", indicating a more deliberate and aggressive encouragement of suspicion.

generate suspicion

Replaces "foment" with "generate", focusing on the creation of suspicion as an outcome.

breed suspicion

Uses "breed" instead of "foment", suggesting that suspicion arises and multiplies over time.

foster distrust

Shifts the focus from suspicion to distrust, implying a stronger sense of disbelief or lack of confidence.

sow seeds of doubt

Employs a metaphorical expression to convey the idea of subtly instilling suspicion.

plant doubts

Similar to sowing seeds of doubt, but more direct in its implication of instilling suspicion.

raise questions

A more neutral alternative that focuses on creating uncertainty rather than actively promoting suspicion.

trigger skepticism

Focuses on prompting skepticism instead of outright suspicion, suggesting a more questioning attitude.

FAQs

How can "foment suspicion" be used in a sentence?

You can use "foment suspicion" to describe actions that deliberately create doubt or mistrust. For example, "The leaked documents seemed to "stir up suspicion" among the employees."

What are some alternatives to "foment suspicion"?

Alternatives include "arouse suspicion", "incite suspicion", or "generate suspicion", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is there a difference between "foment suspicion" and "raise suspicion"?

"Foment suspicion" implies a more active and intentional effort to create doubt or mistrust, while "raise suspicion" is more neutral and suggests that doubt simply arises as a consequence of certain events or information.

When is it appropriate to use "foment suspicion"?

Use "foment suspicion" when describing a deliberate attempt to create doubt or mistrust, especially when someone is actively trying to manipulate others' perceptions. It is stronger than simply "raising" or "arousing" suspicion.