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
The accurate answer to that question will probably not be known until midway through next season, when Wolves hope the seeds sown this month will have begun to bear fruit.
—
Steve Madeley, New York Times, 4 Feb. 2026
This is a sharp example of the legal headache sowing chaos within one of the marquee sports of the Winter Games.
—Sara Germano, Sportico.com, 3 Feb. 2026
Give this a try, or like the rest of us, wait several weeks after sowing to expect the first seedlings.
—Tom MacCubbin, The Orlando Sentinel, 31 Jan. 2026
Lighton uses these dynamics, instead, to sow a seed of individual rebellion.
—Justin Chang, New Yorker, 30 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for sow
Steve Madeley, New York Times, 4 Feb. 2026
This is a sharp example of the legal headache sowing chaos within one of the marquee sports of the Winter Games.
—Sara Germano, Sportico.com, 3 Feb. 2026
Give this a try, or like the rest of us, wait several weeks after sowing to expect the first seedlings.
—Tom MacCubbin, The Orlando Sentinel, 31 Jan. 2026
Lighton uses these dynamics, instead, to sow a seed of individual rebellion.
—Justin Chang, New Yorker, 30 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for sow
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sow
Verb
-
In addition, scores of videos and news accounts have been circulating this month showing ICE agents pepper-spraying residents or throwing them to the ground in California, Arizona, Minnesota and elsewhere.—
Don Stacom,
Hartford Courant,
3 Feb. 2026
-
Imagine having the gall to besmirch the name of a young mother killed for trying to speak up for her neighbors or of an ICU nurse shot in the back for trying to tend to a woman who had been pepper-sprayed in the face.—
Sasha Abramsky,
Washington Post,
2 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Once roots have formed and the cutting feels anchored, plant it in a larger container.—
SJ McShane,
Martha Stewart,
6 Feb. 2026
-
This extra drying time helps to protect the seed potatoes from rot once they are planted in the ground.—
Sheryl Geerts,
Better Homes & Gardens,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Still, Aradski warned that extended calm can breed complacency.—
Lee Ying Shan,
CNBC,
26 Jan. 2026
-
The family has bred and raised several draft horses through the years, growing the herd to as many as 22 at one point on their 40-acre Mountain View Belgians northwest of Longmont.—
Judith Kohler,
Denver Post,
24 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Brush top of crust with egg, then sprinkle remaining ⅓ cup sliced almonds over in a thin layer.—
Jesse Szewczyk,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
27 Jan. 2026
-
For powder, dampen the fabric and then sprinkle powder on each stain.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
26 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Those rankings determine which teams go into which playoff divisions and how teams are seeded in those divisions.—
Steve Fryer,
Oc Register,
7 Feb. 2026
-
Place seeds about one-quarter inch deep and one inch apart, or plant sets with the pointed end up, leaving the tip just visible above the soil.—
Emily Hayes,
Martha Stewart,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Both ends of the bridge have signs listing its height limit, and various other warning signs pepper the road leading up to the historic structure.—
Joseph States,
Chicago Tribune,
6 Feb. 2026
-
The authors pepper their series with real people such as mathematician Bertrand Russell and poet Ezra Pound.—
Oline H. Cogdill,
Sun Sentinel,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The Tigers were put in the awkward position of arguing why the two-time reigning American League Cy Young Award winner deserved the lower salary—the arbitration process requires a three-person panel to pick one number or the other.—
Kurt Badenhausen,
Sportico.com,
5 Feb. 2026
-
Instead, with ample contracts to put in play and the seeming need for a shakeup amid a recent 7-9 run that has Erik Spoelstra’s team trending toward a fourth consecutive trip to the play-in round — silence.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
5 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sow.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sow. Accessed 9 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
