1
as in to spray
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
3
as in to breed
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 sow
Other motives may include growing followers, harvesting affirmation and deliberately sowing confusion.
—
Marshall Shepherd, Forbes.com, 29 May 2025
Musk’s unorthodox—and often secretive—slash-and-burn tactics often sowed chaos during his tenure in the government.
—Nik Popli, Time, 29 May 2025
The efforts by the Trump administration have sown fear on campuses nationwide and led some students to depart.
—Daniel Miller, Los Angeles Times, 29 May 2025
Over the last few weeks, an obscure subject has sowed panic and speculation among investors, the federal government, national security experts, and business leaders: rare earth elements.
—Mark Dent, HubSpot, 9 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for sow
Marshall Shepherd, Forbes.com, 29 May 2025
Musk’s unorthodox—and often secretive—slash-and-burn tactics often sowed chaos during his tenure in the government.
—Nik Popli, Time, 29 May 2025
The efforts by the Trump administration have sown fear on campuses nationwide and led some students to depart.
—Daniel Miller, Los Angeles Times, 29 May 2025
Over the last few weeks, an obscure subject has sowed panic and speculation among investors, the federal government, national security experts, and business leaders: rare earth elements.
—Mark Dent, HubSpot, 9 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for sow
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sow
Verb
-
Use a hose with moderate water pressure (not a power washer) to spray the whole thing down, clearing away cobwebs or other detritus that might have accumulated.—
Angela Haupt,
Time,
3 June 2025
-
Cops said the attacker approached the 33-year-old driver and sprayed her in the face on May 19 around 8:40 a.m. inside a BX10 bus at Bainbridge Ave.—
Nicholas Williams,
New York Daily News,
1 June 2025
Verb
-
Keep bellflowers cool by planting them in partial shade, making sure they are protected from the hot afternoon sun.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
4 June 2025
-
Related How to Plant Dahlias in Pots Planting dahlias in pots is similar to planting them in the ground.—
Andy Wilcox,
Better Homes & Gardens,
3 June 2025
Verb
-
As a result, the only people left standing are the many clones who were bred on the Citadel to serve a multitude of purposes — from backup bodies to restaurant chain mascots.—
Josh Weiss,
Forbes.com,
9 June 2025
-
For instance, salt-marsh mosquitoes in coastal areas can breed in the billions per acre and fly long distances.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
8 June 2025
Verb
-
Remove from the heat and sprinkle the gelatin over the top and let stand for about 5 minutes.—
Georgeanne Brennan,
Mercury News,
5 June 2025
-
It’s topped with various treats like toffee pieces, caramel popcorn, and golden star sprinkles.—
Kimberly Zapata,
Parents,
3 June 2025
Verb
-
City officials say that in recent years, the park’s grass has significantly deteriorated and needs to be aerated and seeded.—
Carolyn Stein,
Chicago Tribune,
1 June 2025
-
This growing network of Palantir alumni has seeded a dense cluster of growth-stage firms across aerospace, cyber, and battlefield AI—contributing to a broader acceleration in U.S. defense innovation.—
Joel Shulman,
Forbes.com,
31 May 2025
Verb
-
Before concluding her cross-examination of one of the case’s most important witnesses, Geragos peppered Jane with questions about Combs continuing to pay her rent and her lingering ties to him.—
Molly Crane-Newman,
New York Daily News,
12 June 2025
-
Its life span is only a few weeks, but in that time one female can produce nearly a hundred offspring, peppering sorghum plants with larvae that look like sawdust and suck nutrients from the leaves, stunting the plants.—
Peter Slevin,
New Yorker,
9 June 2025
Verb
-
Lamine was brought off during extra time, after putting in what was perhaps his most unimpressive display in a big game so far, as a 17-year-old that has already had a storied career.—
Tom Sanderson,
Forbes.com,
9 June 2025
-
Inter were on for a treble until late April and the accumulation of fatigue, psychological baggage and Paris Saint-Germain putting in a historic display left a bad impression of a team that remains, for many, the best in Italy, regardless of Napoli’s domestic league title.—
James Horncastle,
New York Times,
8 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Sow.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sow. Accessed 18 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share