sow hatred

USAGE SUMMARY

"sow hatred" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to the act of inciting hatred or enmity in someone or a group. For example, "The leader tried to sow hatred between the two countries by telling lies about the other."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

"Divisive boycott initiatives such as this one serve only to sow hatred, alienating the sides rather than promoting co-existence," he added.

Independent

That sense of mutual aid was the opposite of what the men who tried to kill her wanted – to sow hatred and fear through death.

The Guardian

Many of the ultra-Orthodox agitators blamed the news media for the unrest, saying they had come into the ultra-Orthodox neighborhoods to sow hatred and to persecute the residents for their religious beliefs.

The New York Times

Several times in the election campaign Farage complained about a group of "trade union-funded activists" being bussed in to his target seat to sow "hatred and resentment, and they're inciting vandalism and public disorder".

The Guardian

The region's journalism law guarantees freedom of expression but sanctions reporters who "insult religious beliefs and symbols," sow "hatred and discord," and write about the private lives of citizens among other topics.

The New York Times

So long as our relationship is defined by our differences, we will empower those who sow hatred rather than peace, and who promote conflict rather than the co-operation that can help all of our people achieve justice and prosperity.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

"This is an evil, this is a sickness within our Church: sowing divisions, sowing hatred, not sowing peace".

Huffington Post

Some are by Sunni extremists trying to sow hatreds among the different sects and faiths in the area; some are more mundane crimes; and some are revenge killings between Turkmen and Kurd; Arab and Turkmen; Muslim and Christian.

The New York Times

There is nothing courageous about pandering or sowing hatred and fear.

The New York Times

Jo Cox believed the debate had sown "hatred and division" reminiscent of the 1930s, Brendan Cox said.

The Guardian - Opinion

We believe in our country and not in sowing hatred," the Facebook page said.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider pairing "sow hatred" with a specific action or policy to provide context, such as: "The new policy will sow hatred among different social classes."

Common error

Avoid using "sow hatred" hyperbolically or in situations where the actions are simply disagreeable but don't genuinely promote animosity. Overusing the phrase can diminish its impact and credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sow hatred" functions as a verb phrase where "sow" (verb) takes "hatred" (noun) as its direct object. It signifies an action intended to initiate or propagate feelings of intense dislike. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

90%

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "sow hatred" is a grammatically sound expression used to describe the act of instigating or spreading feelings of intense dislike and animosity. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is employed in various contexts, most prominently in news and media, with a neutral register. While not exceptionally common, its usage is appropriate for conveying the intention to create division or conflict. Related phrases like "incite hatred" and "spread hatred" offer similar meanings, each with subtle nuances. When using this phrase, it's crucial to ensure that it accurately reflects the situation and to avoid hyperbolic usage. In conclusion, "sow hatred" serves as a potent descriptor for actions that promote discord and animosity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

incite hatred

Focuses on provoking or stirring up hatred, rather than the initial act of planting the seeds.

spread hatred

Emphasizes the dissemination of hatred, highlighting its propagation rather than its origin.

foment hatred

Implies actively stirring up or instigating hatred, often suggesting a deliberate effort.

instigate hatred

Highlights the act of initiating or provoking hatred, similar to 'incite' but with a slightly broader connotation.

plant seeds of hatred

Maintains the metaphor of planting, but specifies 'seeds,' emphasizing the potential for future growth of hatred.

breed hatred

Suggests that hatred is produced or cultivated, often unintentionally, within a specific environment or context.

cultivate hatred

Implies a deliberate and sustained effort to nurture and develop hatred.

generate animosity

Shifts the focus to creating a feeling of strong dislike or hostility.

provoke animosity

Highlights the act of causing animosity, suggesting a specific trigger or action that leads to it.

stir up resentment

Focuses on causing a feeling of bitterness and indignation, often stemming from a perceived injustice.

FAQs

What does it mean to "sow hatred"?

To "sow hatred" means to incite or spread feelings of intense dislike or animosity, often with the intention of creating division or conflict. It implies an action that plants the seeds for future animosity.

What are some synonyms for "sow hatred"?

Alternatives to "sow hatred" include "incite hatred", "spread hatred", or "foment hatred". These phrases all convey the idea of instigating feelings of intense dislike.

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

You can use "sow hatred" to describe actions or rhetoric that promote animosity. For example, "The politician's divisive rhetoric was designed to sow hatred between different groups of people."

Is it correct to say "sow hatred"?

Yes, "sow hatred" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase. It effectively conveys the idea of instigating or spreading animosity.