strew

verb

ˈstrü How to pronounce strew (audio)
strewed; strewed or strewn ˈstrün How to pronounce strew (audio) ; strewing
Synonyms of strew

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 of strew

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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
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.
And now, his name will be strewn across the health care organization his family has been connected to for years. — Sydney Lake, Fortune, 27 Aug. 2026 Beachgoers found large amounts of garbage strewn across the water's edge Saturday. — Nick Caloway, CBS News, 24 Aug. 2026 Wails filled the air in Kenscoff as survivors found the bodies of friends and family strewn on the streets early Monday. — ABC News, 24 Aug. 2026 Rochester Police Department The report also notes that a kitchen knife and a cast-iron frying pan were strewn on the floor, and the living room TV was on. — Annalise Peterson, NBC news, 23 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for strew

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of strew was before the 12th century

Rhymes for strew

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Browse Nearby Words

streuselkuchen
strew
strewer
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Strew.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/strew. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

strew

verb
ˈstrü How to pronounce strew (audio)
strewed; strewed or strewn ˈstrün How to pronounce strew (audio) ; 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
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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