foster discord

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "foster discord" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing actions or behaviors that promote conflict or disagreement among individuals or groups. Example: "The politician's remarks seemed designed to foster discord among the community, rather than promote unity."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

The shifting demographics have fostered discord between the two groups, although most everyone agrees that the conflict finds its worst expression in off-color jokes.

The New York Times

While Trump respects Putin's leadership style, European powers see him as a "spoiler," a state leader interested in fostering discord ―  supporting right-wing political parties, influencing elections and authorizing covert actions against spies ― in order to tilt the structure of international relations in his favor.

Huffington Post

Foster foster foster!

Vice

Among rulers, Christian princes make up frivolous pretexts to justify their wars, and some rulers foster discord among their own subjects in the belief that harmony among their subjects undermines the ruler's authority.

SEP

The public server linked to AltRight.com that violated those terms was shut down along with several other public groups and accounts fostering bad actors on Discord.

TechCrunch

"While we don't read people's private servers our Terms of Service explicitly forbid harassment, threatening messages, or calls to violence…The public server linked to AltRight.com that violated [the ToS] was shut down along with several other public groups and accounts fostering bad actors on Discord".

TechCrunch

Suddenly millions of people new to cryptocurrency will be asking "what the hell does HODL mean!?" Something I'm happy to see is the game already has an active Discord and Telegram, and they're fostering a strong sense of community by offering bounties to players who find bugs.

Forbes

By broadcasting accusations of communism among FRETILIN leaders and sowing discord in the UDT coalition, the Indonesian government fostered instability in East Timor and, observers said, created a pretext for invading.

Wikipedia

To foster a good and harmonious work environment that champions collaboration and is free of discord, here are three important things that will improve the way all your team members react to conflicts.

Huffington Post

Rutter's [ 8] multifaceted operational index of adversity, made up of severe marital discord, low social and economic class, large family size, paternal criminality, maternal psychiatric disorder and foster care placement, showed strong non-linear associations with mental disorder in childhood.

BMC Psychiatry

Institutional and foster care are now provided mainly to children whose home lives have been disrupted, permanently or temporarily, by marital discord, financial hardship, parental irresponsibility, neglect, or abuse.

Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "foster discord", be mindful of the intensity you wish to convey. It suggests a deliberate action, so ensure the context aligns with intentionality. For example, 'The new policy inadvertently fostered discord among the team members' implies the discord was an unintended consequence.

Common error

Be careful not to use "foster discord" when the conflict arises naturally or unintentionally. If the discord is not actively encouraged or promoted, consider using words like "create", "cause", or "generate" instead. This ensures accuracy and avoids suggesting deliberate manipulation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "foster discord" functions as a verb phrase where "foster" (verb) acts upon "discord" (noun). It describes the act of encouraging or promoting disagreement and conflict. As per Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

25%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Science

5%

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "foster discord" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe the act of encouraging or promoting disagreement and conflict. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. While not exceptionally frequent, it finds use across various contexts, including news, academic writing, and encyclopedic entries. Related phrases include "encourage conflict" and "incite disharmony", providing nuanced alternatives. When employing the phrase, be aware of the intentionality implied and use caution to avoid suggesting deliberate manipulation when the conflict is unintentional.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

encourage conflict

Focuses on the act of actively promoting conflict.

incite disharmony

Highlights the action of provoking a lack of harmony.

promote disagreement

Emphasizes encouraging differing opinions.

fuel animosity

Focuses on intensifying existing animosity or hatred.

instigate division

Stresses the initiating of separation or disunity.

cultivate antagonism

Highlights the deliberate development of hostile feelings.

breed contention

Focuses on creating an environment where disputes are likely.

spark friction

Emphasizes the initiation of minor conflicts or disagreements.

generate strife

Highlights the creation of bitter disagreement or conflict.

provoke dissension

Stresses the act of stirring up disagreement and conflict.

FAQs

How can I use "foster discord" in a sentence?

You can use "foster discord" to describe actions that encourage or promote conflict. For example: "The politician's divisive rhetoric served to foster discord within the community."

What are some alternatives to "foster discord"?

You can use alternatives like "encourage conflict", "incite disharmony", or "promote disagreement" depending on the specific context.

Is it always negative to "foster discord"?

Yes, "foster discord" typically carries a negative connotation as it implies the encouragement of conflict and disagreement, which are generally undesirable.

What is the difference between "foster discord" and "create discord"?

"Foster discord" suggests nurturing or encouraging existing seeds of disagreement, while "create discord" implies bringing discord into existence where it didn't exist before.