sown

variants or sowed
Definition of sownnext
past participle of sow
1
as in sprinkled
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

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2
as in planted
to put or set into the ground to grow first sow the seeds in potting soil

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

3

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 sown Kigali is accused of having funded the M23 militia that has taken over mineral-rich areas of the DRC and sowed instability across the country. Jeronimo Gonzalez, semafor.com, 3 Mar. 2026 The night passed with no sign of the snipers who had sown terror from rooftops in January, or the heavy machine guns firing from the bed of pickup trucks. Kay Armin Serjoie, Time, 1 Mar. 2026 Additionally, Paramount had sowed doubts about Netflix among lawmakers, regulators, Warner investors and ultimately the Warner board. Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 28 Feb. 2026 This change has already sown confusion, fear, and disruption for thousands of retirees, like me, who depend on consistent, reliable care. Maryann Berto, New York Daily News, 28 Feb. 2026 They are usually directly sown four to six weeks before the final frost. Barbara Gillette, The Spruce, 27 Feb. 2026 This can happen naturally when seeds are sown outdoors and experience a season of cold temperatures. Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 26 Feb. 2026 The remarks have sowed confusion over the past year, as scientists warn there isn’t evidence to back them up. Aria Bendix, NBC news, 24 Feb. 2026 Such is the confusion and chaos sown by an executive branch unwilling to negotiate with the people’s representatives, as the Constitution envisions. The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 24 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sown
Verb
  • Most soil acidifiers should be sprinkled over gardens, worked into the top few inches of earth, and then watered in with your hose.
    Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 Mar. 2026
  • There are access points sprinkled across the waterfront.
    Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 2 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • My feet would be planted safely and firmly in the grass as the drone performs the dangerous work.
    Tribune Content Agency, Baltimore Sun, 5 Mar. 2026
  • June-bearing strawberries can be planted in the fall and harvested the following spring, according to Montgomery.
    Lauren Wellbank, Martha Stewart, 5 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Sheep are overwhelmingly bred and slaughtered for meat, either lamb or mutton.
    U T Readers, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Mar. 2026
  • For example, cross-pollinating a plum with an apricot produces a pluot, a hybrid fruit bred for its smooth skin and sweet, juicy flesh.
    SJ McShane, Martha Stewart, 27 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Forrest pushed it and winced as tear gas sprayed.
    James Verini, New Yorker, 2 Mar. 2026
  • Glyphosate is sprayed on hundreds of millions of acres of farmland each year.
    Emily Kay Votruba, EverydayHealth.com, 2 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • The museum’s founders, Mark and Janet Hilbert, seeded the Chapman University museum from their own expansive collection, and Mark Hilbert regularly treats patrons to tours.
    Heather McRea, Oc Register, 4 Mar. 2026
  • The record is good for third-best among all 12 teams seeded sixth or higher in their respective conferences, trailing only the San Antonio Spurs (17-9) and Detroit Pistons (15-5).
    Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 4 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • More than 30 police officers (33 to be exact) clocked $400,000 or more last year with a combination of detail and overtime pay, with a few other categories peppered in.
    Joe Dwinell, Boston Herald, 28 Feb. 2026
  • Mauigoa met with the media at the NFL Combine Saturday morning and was immediately peppered about his positional fit.
    Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 28 Feb. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Sown.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sown. Accessed 7 Mar. 2026.

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