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fermenter

fermenter

7.3
A person who causes unrest or big change in a group
  • noun
  • /fərˈmɛntər/
translation icon : agente de cambio
  • The activist became a fermenter of social change in her community.

Examples

  • Many believe that social media acts as a fermenter of public opinion.

  • Some saw her as a troublemaker, but others admired her role as a fermenter of progress.

  • His controversial ideas made him a fermenter among his colleagues.

  • The political fermenter sparked protests across the city.

  • The activist became a fermenter of social change in her community.

  • His controversial ideas made him a fermenter among his colleagues.

  • Many believe that social media acts as a fermenter of public opinion.

Antonyms

1 3.9

A thing that calms people or a situation

How Agitating

demagogue
19 9.3
firebrand
  • Formal
10 7.9
rabble-rouser
  • Literature
6 8.5
fermenter
7.3
agitator
16 6.5
instigator
12 6.8

Surface Forms

fermenter singular
fermenters plural

Morphology

fermenter = ferment (semi-transparent) = ferment + er

Formally 'ferment' + '-er' is clear, but the political/metaphorical sense is figurative and may not be directly inferable from the biochemical sense for many learners.

Etymology

Fermenter used for a person who stirs up change comes from ferment, meaning 'leaven' or 'to boil', giving the image of someone who makes ideas and feelings 'bubble' and spread. That's why a fermenter is a person or thing that causes unrest or quick change.