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 of strew

• spray
• sprinkle
• dot
• pepper

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

Much of the trail is strewn with loose rocks. —John Meyer, Denver Post, 26 May 2026

Along the corridors, boxes and papers were piled outside doors, sometimes strewn over the floor as though dropped and left there. —Amer Matar, The Dial, 26 May 2026

Reusable shopping bags were strewn everywhere, and the top of our coat organizer was becoming a catch-all spot for things that needed to find a true home. —Emily Benda Gaylord, The Spruce, 22 May 2026

There were items strewn inside the building and also placed outside, according to court documents. —Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 20 May 2026

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