buh-SEECH
She beseeched her friend to forgive her after the argument.
Fun Fact
Used as far back as the Middle Ages, “beseech” carries a tone of humility and desperation. In Shakespeare’s plays, characters often beseech gods, kings, and loved ones, emphasizing their helplessness or sincerity. Today, the word still conveys a depth of feeling beyond a simple “please.”
FOH-ment
(verb) To instigate, stir up, or encourage (especially trouble or rebellion).
The speech was accused of fomenting unrest among the workers.
From Latin fovēre, meaning “to warm” or “soothe.”
Fun Fact
While foment sounds fiery, its roots are surprisingly gentle—it originally referred to warming or applying heat to soothe pain. By the 1600s, the word evolved metaphorically to mean “stirring up” passions or conflicts, much like heat can cause something to boil over. Today, it’s most often used in political or social contexts, describing the act of provoking movement or rebellion—the linguistic spark behind a blaze of action.
Today's Word Altruistic al-troo-IS-tik Definition (adjective) Showing unselfish concern for...
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