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
Named for the Roman goddess of sowing seeds, the restaurant opens March 14, and its art isn’t limited to the cuisine.
—
Miami Herald, 3 Mar. 2026
Consider spreading a very thin (¼-inch thick) layer of topsoil across the planting area before sowing seed according to label instructions.
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 28 Feb. 2026
My group Unleash Prosperity warned repeatedly during the Biden years that the auto industry was sowing the seeds of its own destruction by getting hooked on the fool’s profits of taxpayer handouts for EVs.
—Stephen Moore, Boston Herald, 26 Feb. 2026
Images of smoke rising over Guadalajara quickly circulated on social media, sowing doubts among some planning to travel to Mexico for the World Cup.
—Eduard Cauich, Los Angeles Times, 25 Feb. 2026
El Mencho was killed during the search and arrest operation conducted by Mexican forces, which led to members of the Cartel de Jalisco Nueva Generación retaliating against the government by sowing chaos throughout the region.
—Noe Padilla, USA Today, 24 Feb. 2026
While sowing seeds in winter is a smart way to get a head start on gardening season, doing so too early can stress your seedlings, rendering your efforts useless.
—Sj McShane, Martha Stewart, 22 Feb. 2026
Botanical knowledge was passed on in verse, which is easier to remember, so a gardener knew to place raspberries next to roses, that September was the best time to transplant gooseberries and currants, and that sowing edible weeds like fat hen and thistle between the crops serves as a living mulch.
—Literary Hub, 19 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
Miami Herald, 3 Mar. 2026
Consider spreading a very thin (¼-inch thick) layer of topsoil across the planting area before sowing seed according to label instructions.
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 28 Feb. 2026
My group Unleash Prosperity warned repeatedly during the Biden years that the auto industry was sowing the seeds of its own destruction by getting hooked on the fool’s profits of taxpayer handouts for EVs.
—Stephen Moore, Boston Herald, 26 Feb. 2026
Images of smoke rising over Guadalajara quickly circulated on social media, sowing doubts among some planning to travel to Mexico for the World Cup.
—Eduard Cauich, Los Angeles Times, 25 Feb. 2026
El Mencho was killed during the search and arrest operation conducted by Mexican forces, which led to members of the Cartel de Jalisco Nueva Generación retaliating against the government by sowing chaos throughout the region.
—Noe Padilla, USA Today, 24 Feb. 2026
While sowing seeds in winter is a smart way to get a head start on gardening season, doing so too early can stress your seedlings, rendering your efforts useless.
—Sj McShane, Martha Stewart, 22 Feb. 2026
Botanical knowledge was passed on in verse, which is easier to remember, so a gardener knew to place raspberries next to roses, that September was the best time to transplant gooseberries and currants, and that sowing edible weeds like fat hen and thistle between the crops serves as a living mulch.
—Literary Hub, 19 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sowing
Verb
-
Dislodge aphids by spraying foliage with a heavy stream of water.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
27 Feb. 2026
-
Eason recommends spraying water mixed with essential oils to repel bed bugs.—
Emily Benda Gaylord,
The Spruce,
25 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Start planting seeds after the last frost on a staggered schedule, and enjoy the cheery flowers all summer long.—
Michelle Darrisaw,
Southern Living,
1 Mar. 2026
-
As Dallas-Fort Worth becomes more of a draw for domestic and international companies, Taiwan is planting its flag in the ground by actively recruiting for talent in the area.—
Victoria Baeza Garcia,
Dallas Morning News,
27 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Prevent mosquitoes from breeding in your yard with Mosquito Bits.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
5 Mar. 2026
-
Founded in the 16th century, the Royal Stables are best known for breeding the royal breed of the Andalucían horse, the best of which are showcased in regular breathtaking shows.—
Condé Nast Traveler,
Condé Nast Traveler,
25 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
For this method, Sokolowski suggests sprinkling baking soda on a damp microfiber cloth, then scrubbing the curtain and rinsing with warm water before hanging to dry.—
Lauren David,
Southern Living,
27 Feb. 2026
-
This means there's lots of ways to add them to your diet, including blending ground flaxseed into smoothies or sprinkling whole flaxseeds on top of oatmeal.—
Mark Gurarie,
Health,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Pre-seeding While EMV levels may cool off quickly in the months following a launch, brands are increasingly drumming up pre-launch interest by teasing newness and seeding products to creators, in some cases, months in advance.—
Noor Lobad,
Footwear News,
27 Feb. 2026
-
How would seeding have worked if two of the three men’s pools, and not just the one (nor three pools) had ended with three teams each with six points?—
James Mirtle,
New York Times,
26 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Bright hot-air balloons dotting the pale sky over a striated desert.—
The New Yorker,
New Yorker,
4 Mar. 2026
-
Also like many others, the surgery Nyong’o had to remove the roughly 30 fibroids dotting her uterus at the time proved only a temporary fix, with upward of 50 redeveloping in the 12 years since.—
Beth Krietsch,
SELF,
2 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sowing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sowing. Accessed 7 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
