plant/sow the seeds of
idiom
1
: to cause (an idea, feeling, etc.) to be in someone's mind
Opponents have succeeded in planting/sowing the seeds of suspicion/doubt in our team.
2
: to create a situation in which (something) is likely or certain to happen or develop
They have planted/sowed the seeds of their own destruction.
Examples of plant/sow the seeds of in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
This film is about ideas and thought starters to create transformation and to plant the seeds of change for a more inclusive world.
—
Matthew Carey, Deadline, 30 Oct. 2024
This week Vox’s Sean Illing talks with Harari, author of a mind-bending new book, Nexus: A Brief History of Information Networks, about how the information systems that shape our world often sow the seeds of destruction.
—Sean Illing, Vox, 22 Sep. 2024
The Nazis effectively used a visually striking mix of incendiary words and images in their magazine to constantly sow the seeds of doubt among readers.
—Daniel H. Magilow, The Conversation, 12 Sep. 2024
France’s approach to counterterrorism in Mali helped sow the seeds of military discontent that led to multiple coups between 2020 and 2021.
—Christopher Michael Faulkner, The Conversation, 9 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for plant/sow the seeds of 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Matthew Carey, Deadline, 30 Oct. 2024
This week Vox’s Sean Illing talks with Harari, author of a mind-bending new book, Nexus: A Brief History of Information Networks, about how the information systems that shape our world often sow the seeds of destruction.
—Sean Illing, Vox, 22 Sep. 2024
The Nazis effectively used a visually striking mix of incendiary words and images in their magazine to constantly sow the seeds of doubt among readers.
—Daniel H. Magilow, The Conversation, 12 Sep. 2024
France’s approach to counterterrorism in Mali helped sow the seeds of military discontent that led to multiple coups between 2020 and 2021.
—Christopher Michael Faulkner, The Conversation, 9 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for plant/sow the seeds of
Dictionary Entries Near plant/sow the seeds of
Cite this Entry
“Plant/sow the seeds of.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/plant%2Fsow%20the%20seeds%20of. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share