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

Bags and perfumes in the shops were also strewn out on the floor. —Escher Walcott, People.com, 2 Mar. 2025

Authorities said that the gruesome scene was juxtaposed with crimson rose petals strewn throughout the crime site. —Julia Bonavita, Fox News, 1 Mar. 2025

The flyers strewn across Lincoln Heights, a historically Black town, came from the Trinity White Knights chapter of the Ku Klux Klan, the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office told WLWT. —Kate Linderman, Kansas City Star, 24 Feb. 2025

But most of the time, this historical picture, though richly strewn with inanimate objects, lacks what would most bring it to life — the people themselves. —Cody Cottier, Discover Magazine, 7 Feb. 2025

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

Rhymes for strew

• blew
• blue
• boo
• brew
• chew
• chou
• clue
• coo
• coup
• crew
• cue
• dew

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