1
as in spraying
to cover by or as if by scattering something over or on
sow the fields with maize in early spring, and the crop should be ready by late summer
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in planting
to put or set into the ground to grow
first sow the seeds in potting soil
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in breeding
to set permanently in the consciousness or mind-set
a malicious neighbor who sowed within him nagging suspicions about his wife
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of sowing
Locals say the arrests are sowing fear.
—
Michael Loria, USA Today, 9 Sep. 2025
China asters flower about 110-120 days after sowing, so adjust planting time to ensure autumn blooms.
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 8 Sep. 2025
Some of the video makers appeared to be asking earnestly about the president’s well-being, while others appeared to be acting mischievously, sowing confusion for political or financial reasons.
—Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 2 Sep. 2025
Keep sowing succession crops of lettuce, kale, and other leafy greens, as well as radishes and beets.
—Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Sep. 2025
Kennedy is one of the most prolific spreaders of anti-vaccine misinformation and disinformation in the US and has spent years sowing doubt and fear about lifesaving immunizations.
—Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 11 Aug. 2025
Most of the casualties were Hezbollah operatives, sowing chaos among the top ranks of the group.
—Mark Mazzetti, New York Times, 29 Dec. 2024
There’s also the pregnant, endlessly vulnerable Players 222 (Jo Yu-ri) and 044 (Chae Gook-hee), who may be a mystical shaman or just an irrational, slithering kook sowing trouble and doubt.
—Tom Gliatto, People.com, 26 Dec. 2024
That is sowing discontent among EU farmers, particularly because their Mercosur counterparts can operate at lower costs.
—Sam Meredith, CNBC, 23 Dec. 2024
Michael Loria, USA Today, 9 Sep. 2025
China asters flower about 110-120 days after sowing, so adjust planting time to ensure autumn blooms.
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 8 Sep. 2025
Some of the video makers appeared to be asking earnestly about the president’s well-being, while others appeared to be acting mischievously, sowing confusion for political or financial reasons.
—Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 2 Sep. 2025
Keep sowing succession crops of lettuce, kale, and other leafy greens, as well as radishes and beets.
—Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Sep. 2025
Kennedy is one of the most prolific spreaders of anti-vaccine misinformation and disinformation in the US and has spent years sowing doubt and fear about lifesaving immunizations.
—Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 11 Aug. 2025
Most of the casualties were Hezbollah operatives, sowing chaos among the top ranks of the group.
—Mark Mazzetti, New York Times, 29 Dec. 2024
There’s also the pregnant, endlessly vulnerable Players 222 (Jo Yu-ri) and 044 (Chae Gook-hee), who may be a mystical shaman or just an irrational, slithering kook sowing trouble and doubt.
—Tom Gliatto, People.com, 26 Dec. 2024
That is sowing discontent among EU farmers, particularly because their Mercosur counterparts can operate at lower costs.
—Sam Meredith, CNBC, 23 Dec. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sowing
Verb
-
Also, avoid spraying when pollinators are present.—
Arricca Elin SanSone,
Southern Living,
10 Sep. 2025
-
The science is clear on the harmful health impacts of farmers directly spraying pesticides, but less clear when studied in low levels carried through to food, said Mozaffarian.—
Will McDuffie,
ABC News,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
From beginning stages of planning, the layout, walkways, irrigation, fertilization, planting varieties of roses and the tools needed for successful rose gardening.—
Ut Community Press,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
16 Sep. 2025
-
To minimize risk, avoid planting Brussels sprouts or any of their relatives in the same spot every year.—
Arricca Elin SanSone,
Southern Living,
16 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
And the American redstart — a jetblack little fellow with orange splashes — pretty much stopped breeding here in the early 2000s.—
Ari Daniel,
NPR,
10 Sep. 2025
-
They’re spotted foraging on golf courses and even breeding in suburban wetlands near Chicago.—
Tom Langen,
The Conversation,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Under the post that included romantic and silly shots of Neeson sprinkling some popcorn over her head, Joely left a string of red heart emojis in the comments section.—
Jen Juneau,
PEOPLE,
4 Sep. 2025
-
Then, to complete the deep clean, Lane suggests, sprinkling baking soda on the bottom of the dishwasher and running a second hot cycle with no detergent.—
Melissa Locker,
Southern Living,
2 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
By seeding the market with TPU alternatives, Google can pressure Nvidia's pricing power and reduce reliance on expensive Nvidia hardware.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
-
With 18 games remaining in the regular season and a division title and playoff seeding in the balance, the particulars don’t matter.—
Kevin Acee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Jim Clash Today the beach is tranquil, with hotels and restaurants dotting the shoreline.—
Jim Clash,
Forbes.com,
8 Sep. 2025
-
The image is etched in black and white, except for the red blood dotting the protestor’s sign.—
Nicole Hoey,
Robb Report,
8 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Sowing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sowing. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share