plant/sow the seeds of
idiom
1
: to cause (an idea, feeling, etc.) to be in someone's mind
Opponents have succeeded in planting/sowing the seeds of suspicion/doubt in our team.
2
: to create a situation in which (something) is likely or certain to happen or develop
They have planted/sowed the seeds of their own destruction.
Examples of plant/sow the seeds of in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
This week Vox’s Sean Illing talks with Harari, author of a mind-bending new book, Nexus: A Brief History of Information Networks, about how the information systems that shape our world often sow the seeds of destruction.
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Sean Illing, Vox, 22 Sep. 2024
The Nazis effectively used a visually striking mix of incendiary words and images in their magazine to constantly sow the seeds of doubt among readers.
—Daniel H. Magilow, The Conversation, 12 Sep. 2024
France’s approach to counterterrorism in Mali helped sow the seeds of military discontent that led to multiple coups between 2020 and 2021.
—Christopher Michael Faulkner, The Conversation, 9 Aug. 2024
However, this provides them with an opportunity to plant the seeds of an idyllic courtship in the twilight hours, highlighting how innate dichotomies enhance both the prologue and the aftermath of pleasure’s procurement.
2.
—Nicholas Bell, SPIN, 31 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for plant/sow the seeds of 
Sean Illing, Vox, 22 Sep. 2024
The Nazis effectively used a visually striking mix of incendiary words and images in their magazine to constantly sow the seeds of doubt among readers.
—Daniel H. Magilow, The Conversation, 12 Sep. 2024
France’s approach to counterterrorism in Mali helped sow the seeds of military discontent that led to multiple coups between 2020 and 2021.
—Christopher Michael Faulkner, The Conversation, 9 Aug. 2024
However, this provides them with an opportunity to plant the seeds of an idyllic courtship in the twilight hours, highlighting how innate dichotomies enhance both the prologue and the aftermath of pleasure’s procurement.
2.
—Nicholas Bell, SPIN, 31 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for plant/sow the seeds of
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'plant/sow the seeds of.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Plant/sow the seeds of.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/plant%2Fsow%20the%20seeds%20of. Accessed 5 Oct. 2024.
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