strew

verb

ˈstrü 

strewed; strewed or strewn ˈstrün  ; strewing

transitive verb

1

: to spread by scattering

2

: to cover by or as if by scattering something

strewing the highways with litter

3

: to become dispersed over as if scattered

4

: to spread abroad : disseminate

Synonyms

• bestrew
• dot
• pepper
• scatter
• sow
• spot
• spray
• sprinkle

Examples of strew in a Sentence

She strewed the birdseed on the ground.

sidewalks strewed with trash left by the parade watchers

Recent Examples on the Web

The desk is shown then with pieces broken off and items strewed about the floor. —Joseph Epstein, Newsweek, 11 Dec. 2024

The ordinary stuff of domestic life is evident all around them: laundry drying outside a window, or an older sibling’s toys strewn in a corner. —Jessica Winter, The New Yorker, 7 Dec. 2024

Murphy first set up a room with candles, bouquets of roses and strewn flower petals before a wall covered in a huge red heart. —Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 2 Dec. 2024

Most memorable were the demonstrations led by artist Nan Goldin, where pill bottles were strewn down the iconic spiral ramp of the Guggenheim and prescription slips littered the floor of the Sackler Wing at the Met, home of the ancient Egyptian Temple of Dendur. —Mary Holland, Robb Report, 1 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English strewen, strowen, from Old English strewian, strēowian; akin to Old High German strewen to strew, Latin struere to heap up, sternere to spread out, Greek stornynai

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

strew

verb

ˈstrü 

strewed; strewed or strewn ˈstrün  ; strewing

1

: to spread (as seeds) by scattering

2

: to cover by or as if by scattering something over or on

strewing the highways with litter

3

: to spread around as if sowing seeds : disseminate