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

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2
as in to plant
to put or set into the ground to grow first sow the seeds in potting soil

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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

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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 Instead of giving bosses a reason to hire, the whiplash approach to the trade war is sowing confusion and uncertainty. Matt Egan, CNN Money, 11 July 2025 The service clock was introduced largely because of Nadal’s lengthy rituals between points; Novak Djokovic has long been a master of the rope-a-dope: sowing doubts in a player’s mind about form, condition and mental state even if, underneath the antics, all is quiet. Charlie Eccleshare, New York Times, 8 July 2025 Many civic leaders across metro L.A. say the practice of masked federal agents has sowed confusion in their communities. Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2025 While Gran Griff was sowing terror in the Aribonite earlier this year and Viv Ansanm was taking over Port-au-Prince, tensions in the central region were worsening. Jacqueline Charles july 11, Miami Herald, 11 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for sow
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sow
Verb
  • Before help arrives, begin cooling the exhausted individual by any means possible, such as spraying them with a garden hose or using cool cloths.
    Chad Murphy, The Enquirer, 22 July 2025
  • Once the tofu is in the air fryer basket, spray once more with the cooking spray to prevent clumping.
    The New York Times News Service Syndicate, Denver Post, 16 July 2025
Verb
  • The old sandy beach was converted into open space where the county is planting native vegetation and creating bioswales and rain gardens, which help reduce runoff.
    Caitlin Looby, jsonline.com, 23 July 2025
  • In Zone 1, homeowners should remove any flammable vegetation within 30 feet of a structure and focus on planting drought-tolerant and fire-resistant plant species in moderation.
    Karen Billing, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 July 2025
Verb
  • These useless jobs in turn breed further useless work.
    Steve Denning, Forbes.com, 16 July 2025
  • For almost 10,000 years, people in the Arctic have kept dogs for hunting and sledding, breeding them for desirable traits.
    Rudy Molinek, Smithsonian Magazine, 14 July 2025
Verb
  • Swap the bananas for berries or apple slices and sprinkle with cinnamon for a flavor change.
    Morgan Pearson, Verywell Health, 25 July 2025
  • House said one of her family’s favorite fiber-rich snacks is in-the-shell edamame that is steamed or microwaved and sprinkled with salt.
    Lauren Manaker MS, Health, 24 July 2025
Verb
  • Florida is a huge player on this stage, receiving over $800 million dollars in NIH grants annually, supporting over 14,000 jobs, producing more than $2.8 billion in economic activity, and seeding innumerable opportunities for our students.
    Seth Tomchik, Sun Sentinel, 24 July 2025
  • Chinese officials still decry the opium crisis that foreign traders seeded two centuries ago.
    Michael Schuman, The Atlantic, 24 July 2025
Verb
  • Easter eggs are peppered throughout the set, with a replica of Disney’s briefcase, books on urban development, a map of Disneyland with upcoming attractions, and a photo of Abraham Lincoln, all of which were in Disney’s office in the early ‘60s.
    Natasha Chen, CNN Money, 17 July 2025
  • Photos peppered his and his agents’ social media, mostly of which were of Duran and Cristiano Ronaldo together.
    Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 11 July 2025
Verb
  • About six months ago, Ford put in technology to pokeyoke Ryan's job.
    Jamie L. LaReau, Freep.com, 30 July 2025
  • Many stuffed, rubber, and nylon toys can be put in the washing machine—though toys stuffed with crinkles or squeakers could be affected by machine washing.
    Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 29 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Sow.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sow. Accessed 1 Aug. 2025.

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