1
as in to spray
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

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

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3
as in to breed
to set permanently in the consciousness or mind-set a malicious neighbor who sowed within him nagging suspicions about his wife

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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 sow Other motives may include growing followers, harvesting affirmation and deliberately sowing confusion. Marshall Shepherd, Forbes.com, 29 May 2025 Musk’s unorthodox—and often secretive—slash-and-burn tactics often sowed chaos during his tenure in the government. Nik Popli, Time, 29 May 2025 The efforts by the Trump administration have sown fear on campuses nationwide and led some students to depart. Daniel Miller, Los Angeles Times, 29 May 2025 Over the last few weeks, an obscure subject has sowed panic and speculation among investors, the federal government, national security experts, and business leaders: rare earth elements. Mark Dent, HubSpot, 9 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for sow
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sow
Verb
  • Use a hose with moderate water pressure (not a power washer) to spray the whole thing down, clearing away cobwebs or other detritus that might have accumulated.
    Angela Haupt, Time, 3 June 2025
  • Cops said the attacker approached the 33-year-old driver and sprayed her in the face on May 19 around 8:40 a.m. inside a BX10 bus at Bainbridge Ave.
    Nicholas Williams, New York Daily News, 1 June 2025
Verb
  • Keep bellflowers cool by planting them in partial shade, making sure they are protected from the hot afternoon sun.
    Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 4 June 2025
  • Under city ordinances, developers must replace a certain percentage of trees being removed, in this case either by planting 320 new trees or paying a $156,954 fee, Latinovic said.
    Gloria Casas, Chicago Tribune, 3 June 2025
Verb
  • Momentum breeds momentum: each successful float provides price discovery that the next issuer can cite, widening the aperture a little more.
    Zennon Kapron, Forbes.com, 28 May 2025
  • While some cat breeds, such as rag dolls or Maine coons, are considered more sociable, the researchers did not examine differences in behavior based on breed.
    Scott Lafee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 May 2025
Verb
  • Remove from the heat and sprinkle the gelatin over the top and let stand for about 5 minutes.
    Georgeanne Brennan, Mercury News, 5 June 2025
  • It’s topped with various treats like toffee pieces, caramel popcorn, and golden star sprinkles.
    Kimberly Zapata, Parents, 3 June 2025
Verb
  • City officials say that in recent years, the park’s grass has significantly deteriorated and needs to be aerated and seeded.
    Carolyn Stein, Chicago Tribune, 1 June 2025
  • This growing network of Palantir alumni has seeded a dense cluster of growth-stage firms across aerospace, cyber, and battlefield AI—contributing to a broader acceleration in U.S. defense innovation.
    Joel Shulman, Forbes.com, 31 May 2025
Verb
  • McCollum relayed the report to then-Georgia Tech head coach Paul Johnson, who peppered him.
    Alec Lewis, New York Times, 2 June 2025
  • The water is fed by 72-degree springs, so if your lungs are up for it, pepper the relaxation under the sun with some underwater forays.
    Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 31 May 2025
Verb
  • May 29, 2025 The LPGA Tour put in place a new pace of play policy at the beginning of the current season, which seeks to reduce playing times.
    Julio Cesar Valdera Morales, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 May 2025
  • The German talked about trying to change his mindset ahead of that final, putting in extra practice to try to bridge the gap.
    Charlie Eccleshare, New York Times, 29 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Sow.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sow. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.

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