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
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
Even if a smoker investigated the facts, the tobacco industry had thoroughly muddied the waters, sowing skepticism over the conclusions reached by the science.
—Josh Browning, Big Think, 18 Dec. 2024
Last week, Moscow was also reportedly the scene of the apparent targeted killing of a top engineer of its cruise missiles, deployed with the aim of sowing havoc and death in Ukrainian cities.
—Laura King, Los Angeles Times, 17 Dec. 2024
Some Herbs Lavender, mint, oregano, sage, and other cold tolerant herbs are also suitable for sowing in milk jugs.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 Dec. 2024
Get a jump start on spring lawn establishment by sowing grass seed in winter, a process called dormant seeding.
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 13 Dec. 2024
Understanding Dormant Seeding Dormant seeding is a method of sowing cool-season grass seed in winter for germination the following spring.
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 13 Dec. 2024
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
Even if a smoker investigated the facts, the tobacco industry had thoroughly muddied the waters, sowing skepticism over the conclusions reached by the science.
—Josh Browning, Big Think, 18 Dec. 2024
Last week, Moscow was also reportedly the scene of the apparent targeted killing of a top engineer of its cruise missiles, deployed with the aim of sowing havoc and death in Ukrainian cities.
—Laura King, Los Angeles Times, 17 Dec. 2024
Some Herbs Lavender, mint, oregano, sage, and other cold tolerant herbs are also suitable for sowing in milk jugs.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 Dec. 2024
Get a jump start on spring lawn establishment by sowing grass seed in winter, a process called dormant seeding.
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 13 Dec. 2024
Understanding Dormant Seeding Dormant seeding is a method of sowing cool-season grass seed in winter for germination the following spring.
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 13 Dec. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sowing
seeding
Verb
-
Teams have been desperately clawing for seeding with the playoffs shaping up and players and coaches have been leaving it all on the field.—
Ted Nguyen,
The Athletic,
31 Dec. 2024
-
Sunday’s contest in Dallas has playoff-seeding ramifications for the 11-5 Commanders.—
Ben Standig,
The Athletic,
31 Dec. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Sowing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sowing. Accessed 31 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share