sow

verb

ˈsō How to pronounce sow (audio)
Definition of sownext
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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

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 sow Some of these spaces were inhabited by horses or llamas, but many were just sown with Kentucky blue grass that was carefully cut every weekend. — Literary Hub, 2 Oct. 2026 So in part, the seeds to the conflict now were sown in the 2022 ceasefire. — Alemayehu Fentaw Weldemariam, The Conversation, 29 Sep. 2026 Authors of the legislation, which faces an uncertain future in the House, said aggressive congressional intervention was necessary because a series of legal rulings had sowed chaos in college sports. — New York Times, 29 Sep. 2026 This profitability profile historically sows the seeds of the next supply glut and subsequent margin collapse. — Michael Khouw, CNBC, 28 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for sow
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sow
  1. spray
  2. plant
  3. breed
  4. sprinkle
  5. seed
  6. pepper
  7. put in
Verb
  • The shared affinity was clear in the celebration, as Mesa sprayed Cash with alcohol, and Vilade and Erik Neander, the team’s president of baseball operations, embraced while Vilade was interviewed.
    — Nicolas Villamil, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Sprinkler heads can become misaligned, damaged, clogged, or otherwise defective, causing water to spray onto sidewalks and other areas where people walk.
    — Christyne D. Santisteban, Miami Herald, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of spray
Verb
  • But the seeds are planted quickly for weightier themes to be explored later.
    — Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 9 Oct. 2026
  • Just south of Champaign along I-57, IDOT removed invasive autumn olive shrubs and planted purple coneflower, bee balm and milkweed.
    — Susan DeGrane, Chicago Tribune, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of plant
Verb
  • Avalo, which uses AI to naturally breed cotton that can adapt in the region it’s grown, then ships each order.
    — Roy Stephen Canivel, Footwear News, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Research suggests that breeding for higher genetic merit has improved the amount of milk produced.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of breed
Verb
  • The songs, contemporary pop sprinkled with disco pixie dust, are of a piece with the tone of Benanti’s self-skewering comedy.
    — Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Cora, Dombrowski’s manager with the 2018 World Series champion Boston Red Sox, isn’t going to walk into the Phillies’ clubhouse and sprinkle magic pixie dust on a club that clearly is trending in the wrong direction.
    — Ken Rosenthal, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of sprinkle
Verb
  • Las Vegas, which was seeded third, had won three of the past four championships.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 10 Oct. 2026
  • Bajaria emphasizes that the focus is on developing regional and language-specific hits and to seed franchises that keep subscribers engaged.
    — Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of seed
Verb
  • Surprising, quirky additions are peppered throughout, such as a small trompe l’oeil ceiling fresco of a conservatory roof, complete with climbing roses and birds.
    — Julia Wytrazek, TheWeek, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Acoustic wooden bafflers frame the space and help create a sense of intimacy, with grand works from local artists peppered about and instilling a tangible sense of place.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of pepper
Verb
  • Hall said county staff and event organizers have put in a lot of work to ensure the race will be up to standard and as safe as possible, meeting all requirements for approval.
    — Glory Reitz, Arkansas Online, 12 Oct. 2026
  • Cortez blamed the city for not taking any permanent or lasting measures to prevent the ocean from spilling into the streets, such as putting in place a concrete barrier or reinforcing the seawall.
    — Fedor Zarkhin, Los Angeles Times, 11 Oct. 2026
Definition of put in

Browse Nearby Words

Sovietism
sow
sowed
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Cite this Entry

“Sow.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sow. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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