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
Still, tech companies’ race to invest in the expansion of AI infrastructure could ultimately be sowing the seeds of future oversupply, according to Philip Straehl, chief investment officer at Morningstar Wealth.
—
ABC News,
23 June 2026
Many sunflower varieties bloom as soon as 50-60 days after sowing, providing a big early-season boost of color.
—
Andy Wilcox,
Better Homes & Gardens,
20 June 2026
The killing is the latest act which Polish authorities believe could be part of a campaign of Russian sabotage aimed at sowing fear and demoralizing Ukraine’s closest allies.
—
Vanessa Gera,
Los Angeles Times,
18 June 2026
And some of those in Tallahassee began sowing seeds of division to advance their own causes and elevate their own profiles.
—
Scott Maxwell,
The Orlando Sentinel,
12 June 2026
The companies were included in a previous version that was posted briefly in February before being withdrawn minutes later without any explanation, sowing confusion about the Pentagon’s intentions.
—
Kate O'Keeffe,
Fortune,
8 June 2026
Last year, Kennedy’s ACIP didn’t issue a guidance on COVID vaccines until September, then softened the recommendations for their use, sowing confusion as pharmacies, doctors’ offices, and patients tried to figure out who was eligible for the shots and whether insurers would pay.
—
Katherine J. Wu,
The Atlantic,
7 June 2026
Soil preparation for reseeding and sowing a new lawn takes a little more effort.
—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
3 June 2026
Begin sowing in early spring and continue through midsummer for an abundant harvest before the end of summer.
—
Alexandra Jones,
The Spruce,
1 June 2026
ABC News,
23 June 2026
Many sunflower varieties bloom as soon as 50-60 days after sowing, providing a big early-season boost of color.
—
Andy Wilcox,
Better Homes & Gardens,
20 June 2026
The killing is the latest act which Polish authorities believe could be part of a campaign of Russian sabotage aimed at sowing fear and demoralizing Ukraine’s closest allies.
—
Vanessa Gera,
Los Angeles Times,
18 June 2026
And some of those in Tallahassee began sowing seeds of division to advance their own causes and elevate their own profiles.
—
Scott Maxwell,
The Orlando Sentinel,
12 June 2026
The companies were included in a previous version that was posted briefly in February before being withdrawn minutes later without any explanation, sowing confusion about the Pentagon’s intentions.
—
Kate O'Keeffe,
Fortune,
8 June 2026
Last year, Kennedy’s ACIP didn’t issue a guidance on COVID vaccines until September, then softened the recommendations for their use, sowing confusion as pharmacies, doctors’ offices, and patients tried to figure out who was eligible for the shots and whether insurers would pay.
—
Katherine J. Wu,
The Atlantic,
7 June 2026
Soil preparation for reseeding and sowing a new lawn takes a little more effort.
—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
3 June 2026
Begin sowing in early spring and continue through midsummer for an abundant harvest before the end of summer.
—
Alexandra Jones,
The Spruce,
1 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sowing
Verb
-
People try to cool down by standing in front of a mister spraying cool water during a heat wave in Rome near the Colosseum on June 26, 2026.
-
Sprinklers started spraying on the field just before the game got underway again and some players deliberately dosed themselves, a solid strategy considering the conditions.
Verb
-
Water them before planting if the pots have dried out.
-
Drones offer a potential alternative cover crop seeding method by enabling interseeding of cover crops, the practice of planting one crop into another crop before harvest.
Verb
-
Between June and November, thousands of humpback whales migrate through Brazilian waters, traveling roughly 2,500 miles (4,000 kilometers) from their feeding grounds in the Southern Ocean to breeding and calving grounds off northeastern Brazil.
-
Residents can also request a free backyard inspection from the department's Pest Management team to identify areas where mosquitoes may be breeding.
Verb
-
Clean the oven racks separately by spraying them with white vinegar and sprinkling them with baking soda.
-
During Tuesday’s practice, which was the first of three on-field sessions this week, the Dolphins opened up the play-action game during the first 11-on-11 period by sprinkling in some running plays.
Verb
-
Careful consideration of cover crop species selection and drone seeding timing will improve drone seeding success.
-
Previous cloud-seeding controversies Cloud seeding is now at the center of the rise in weather‑control conspiracy narratives after disasters, such as the tragic Texas floods of 2025 that killed dozens of people, many of them children.
Verb
-
With mannequins dotting the courtyard, the Italian brand made a statement.
-
To achieve crisp dots and clean linework at home, Slynko recommends using a dotting tool and a thin detail brush, or reaching for a stamping plate.
Cite this Entry
“Sowing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sowing. Accessed 4 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
