sow discord

USAGE SUMMARY

"sow discord" is an idiom that is commonly used in written English to mean to cause trouble or disrupt.
For example, "The politician sought to sow discord among the electorate by exploiting the deep divisions between political ideologies."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They sow discord and suspicion.

The New York Times

Were they trying to sow discord between his sons?

The New York Times

"The aim behind this is to sow discord in Lebanon".

The Guardian

"But it wasn't alone to try and sow discord.

The Guardian

Some have suggested that Isis deliberately sent someone along this route to help sow discord.

Independent

Some fear China connived in his escape, hoping to sow discord among exiled Tibetans.

The Economist

The attackers were clearly aiming to sow discord between Muslims and Christians in Kenya.

The Guardian

This was a damn punk who was trying to sow discord".

The Guardian

"They rebelled, threatened us, tried to sow discord between us," he said.

The New York Times

PWNED: Russian trolls are still trying to sow discord among Americans as the midterms get closer.

The Washington Post

Trump also failed in an effort to sow discord in the House Democratic caucus.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "sow discord" to describe deliberate actions intended to disrupt unity or create conflict within a group or society. It implies a calculated effort to undermine harmony.

Common error

Avoid using "sow discord" when describing accidental or unintentional conflicts. The phrase suggests a deliberate, often malicious, intent to cause division.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sow discord" functions as a verb phrase, where "sow" is the verb indicating the action of spreading, and "discord" is the noun representing the resulting conflict or disharmony. As Ludwig AI explains, the phrase is used to mean cause trouble or disrupt.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Academia

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Science

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "sow discord" is a common idiom used to describe actions intended to disrupt unity or create conflict. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct and frequently encountered in written English. Predominantly found in news and media sources, it maintains a neutral register suitable for objective reporting. It is used to describe deliberate, often malicious, intent to cause division. When considering alternatives, phrases like "stir up trouble" or "incite conflict" can be used, although they may lack the specific nuance of intentional disruption implied by "sow discord".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

create division

This phrase directly points to the act of generating separation or disunity.

incite conflict

This phrase emphasizes the act of provoking or encouraging conflict.

stir up trouble

This alternative focuses on the act of instigating problems or conflict.

instigate strife

This phrase emphasizes the active initiation of conflict or struggle.

foment dissent

This alternative highlights the encouragement of disagreement or opposition.

cause friction

This option underlines the generation of antagonism and tension.

breed animosity

This phrase accentuates the development of strong dislike or hostility.

plant seeds of discontent

This alternative uses a metaphorical expression, emphasizing the gradual development of dissatisfaction and unrest.

spark infighting

This option emphasizes the trigger of internal conflict within a group.

trigger disputes

This alternative highlights the commencement of arguments or disagreements.

FAQs

How can I use "sow discord" in a sentence?

You can use "sow discord" to describe actions that deliberately create conflict or division, for example: "The politician's speech was designed to "sow discord" among voters."

What are some alternatives to "sow discord"?

Alternatives to "sow discord" include "stir up trouble", "incite conflict", or "create division", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What is the difference between "sow discord" and "create conflict"?

"Sow discord" implies a more insidious and deliberate effort to undermine unity, while "create conflict" is a more general term for causing disagreement or opposition. Sowing discord specifically aims to disrupt existing harmony.

Is it appropriate to use "sow discord" in formal writing?

Yes, "sow discord" is appropriate for formal writing, particularly in news articles, academic papers, and business reports, where a nuanced description of intentional conflict is needed.