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 tables were strewn with matchbooks with the same illustration. —Hikmat Mohammed, WWD, 5 Nov. 2024

Downed power lines blocked roads and debris was strewn across the ground in some areas. —Cybele Mayes-Osterman, USA TODAY, 3 Nov. 2024

The ship broke apart, leaving wood strewn throughout the waves. —Toby Rose, Parents, 24 Oct. 2024

There are cold french fries strewn across the table, empty glasses everywhere, and there’s ice — so much ice. —Trish Deitch, Variety, 16 Oct. 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