stow

verb

ˈstō How to pronounce stow (audio)
Definition of stownext
1
as in to store
to place somewhere for safekeeping or ready availability stow the extra life jackets in the chest

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
as in to stash
to put (something of future use or value) in a safe or secret place stowed candy bars, which were forbidden at the summer camp, under a board in the cabin's floor

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 stow Nurses cleaned up the animal, made a bed of blankets and, for allergy prevention, stowed her far from the patient care area in a corner of Pateros’ office. — Donna Vickroy, Chicago Tribune, 25 June 2026 To combat a cold work environment, fashion designer Ramy Brook suggests stowing a jacket behind your chair. — Julia Guerra, InStyle, 24 June 2026 Receive Zone 5 Priority Boarding on Delta flights; board early, stow your carry-on bag and settle in sooner. — Sarah Hostetler, CNBC, 5 June 2026 If that isn't good enough, buyers can opt for an Internal Waterproof Gear Vault bag for more securely stowing gotta-stay-dry items such as electronics. — Ben Coxworth july 03, New Atlas, 3 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for stow
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stow
  1. store
  2. stash
  3. keep
  4. hoard
  5. accumulate
Verb
  • It is stored in an inactive form in cells such as the liver, spleen, bone marrow, and immune system—acting as the body’s reserve bank, indicating how much iron is available for future use.
    — Tatiana Dias, Vogue, 30 June 2026
  • That badge allowed former surfer Conan Hayes, who was acquainted with election-denier and MyPillow founder Mike Lindell, to enter the secure room where the machines were stored and take images of the voting machines and associated data.
    — Joey Garrison, USA Today, 30 June 2026
Definition of store
Verb
  • There’s a clear PVC pocket for stashing liquid items, and a separate toothbrush tab.
    — Alison Syrett Cleary, InStyle, 30 June 2026
  • Chicagoans long have been creative in finding places to stash their cars.
    — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 29 June 2026
Definition of stash
Verb
  • This version from Quince has a separate compartment for a laptop, as well as two separate sections to keep the remaining belongings organized.
    — Rachel Trujillo, PEOPLE, 7 July 2026
  • Beyond their cool-girl air, the shoes offer plenty of support and cushioning thanks to their plush insoles that keep your arches comfortable for hours of strutting.
    — Kyra Surgent, InStyle, 7 July 2026
Definition of keep
Verb
  • Europe often moves the other way, hoarding labor through downturns, and analysts count that instinct among the reasons its productivity has recently stalled.
    — Alexander Puutio, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026
  • But now that someone is hoarding spoons, things are officially a disaster.
    — Jen Chaney, Vulture, 26 June 2026
Definition of hoard
Verb
  • In Gaza City alone, around 25 million tons of debris have accumulated, Mohanna said.
    — Sana Noor Haq, CNN Money, 5 July 2026
  • Jamestown Canyon virus accumulates genetic changes 10 to 100 times more slowly per calendar year than dengue, Rift Valley fever or chikungunya.
    — John Drake, Forbes.com, 4 July 2026
Definition of accumulate

Browse Nearby Words

stoves
stow
stowage
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Stow.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stow. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on stow

Nglish: Translation of stow for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

One-Word Oxymorons: Bittersweet, Spendthrift, and More

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
hangman letters and game
Hangman Lightning Round Figure out which word fits in the blanks.
See All