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
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Recent Examples of sowing
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The companies were included in a previous version that was posted briefly in February before being withdrawn minutes later without any explanation, sowing confusion about the Pentagon’s intentions.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
Activists and some city leaders have voiced concerns that the stops are racially biased, sowing fear and distrust in the community.
—Los Angeles Times, 4 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
Lawyers and industry groups say even this first step is sowing confusion.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 1 June 2026
In recent weeks Ukrainian drones have strayed into Baltic countries' airspace, sowing confusion and raising tensions with Russia.
—George Calin, USA Today, 29 May 2026
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The companies were included in a previous version that was posted briefly in February before being withdrawn minutes later without any explanation, sowing confusion about the Pentagon’s intentions.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
Activists and some city leaders have voiced concerns that the stops are racially biased, sowing fear and distrust in the community.
—Los Angeles Times, 4 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
Lawyers and industry groups say even this first step is sowing confusion.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 1 June 2026
In recent weeks Ukrainian drones have strayed into Baltic countries' airspace, sowing confusion and raising tensions with Russia.
—George Calin, USA Today, 29 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sowing
Verb
-
Guards pulled them out of their cages and beat them, leaving one with a bloody eye and another with a broken wrist, and pepper-spraying them indiscriminately, according to a filing by an attorney in the First Amendment case.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
11 June 2026
-
Start spraying at the bottom of the plant's stalk, focusing on the undersides of the leaves where pests often hide.—
SJ McShane,
Martha Stewart,
11 June 2026
Verb
-
Clearly, whoever had previously owned the place wasn't just planting crops.—
Jacqueline Goldblatt,
PC Magazine,
13 June 2026
-
Plant Varieties With Different Bloom Times There are early, mid-season, and late peony cultivars, and planting some of each type stretches the peony bloom up to several weeks.—
Nadia Hassani,
The Spruce,
12 June 2026
Verb
-
The islands, which sit about 2,485 miles (4,000 kilometers) southwest of mainland Australia have long been an isolated sanctuary for breeding birds and marine mammals.—
Kathleen Magramo,
CNN Money,
19 June 2026
-
There were also breeding facilities in the state.—
Bill Kearney,
Sun Sentinel,
11 June 2026
Verb
-
Clean the oven racks separately by spraying them with white vinegar and sprinkling them with baking soda.—
Olivia McIntosh,
Martha Stewart,
13 June 2026
-
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.—
Omar Kelly,
Miami Herald,
2 June 2026
Verb
-
But the idea that foreign influence is seeding a populist campaign against AI facilities is far-fetched, experts told Semafor last month, noting that Chinese media is instead likely exploiting existing US divisions over the tech.—
J.D. Capelouto,
semafor.com,
3 June 2026
-
After seeding, keep the planting bed moist with light daily waterings for the first two weeks.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
3 June 2026
Verb
-
Start with a clear glitter base, then use a dotting tool to create white daisies with pink and orange centers.—
Rebecca Norris,
InStyle,
8 June 2026
-
Among the historic attractions dotting Route 66, there may be none more hapless and ill fated as the Aztec Hotel in Monrovia.—
Assistant Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
30 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sowing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sowing. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.
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