shrew

noun

\ ˈshrü

, especially Southern ˈsrü\

Definition of shrew

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : any of a family (Soricidae) of small chiefly nocturnal insectivores related to the moles and distinguished by a long pointed snout, very small eyes, and short velvety fur

2 : an ill-tempered scolding woman

shrew

verb

shrewed; shrewing; shrews

Definition of shrew (Entry 2 of 2)

transitive verb

obsolete

: curse

Other Words from shrew Synonyms Example Sentences Learn More about shrew

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Examples of shrew in a Sentence

Noun

Rip Van Winkle went off into the mountains to escape his wife, a shrew who made his life miserable.

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

One of the new species is a flightless behemoth, weighing as much as a shrew, and carries big spines for defense on its thorax. — Piotr Naskrecki, National Geographic, "Blood-squirting insects and more tiny creatures flourish in African park," 25 Apr. 2019 Researchers have collected genetic evidence that these HEVs can also infect a variety of animals, including pigs, wild boar, deer, rabbits, mongoose, chickens, camels, ferrets, greater bandicoots, Asian musk shrew, mink, moose, and fish. — Beth Mole, Ars Technica, "Rat hepatitis jumps to human for first time, spotlighting disease mystery," 2 Oct. 2018 There are a few other venomous mammals, mostly shrews, but there’s only one venomous primate: Southeast Asia’s slow loris. — Gemma Tarlach, Discover Magazine, "20 Things You Didn't Know About ... Poison," 25 Sep. 2018 Elephants and elephant cape shrews—which both keep their testes locked away in the abdomen—have internal body temperatures similar to those of humans. — Katherine J. Wu, Smithsonian, "The Earliest Mammals Kept Their Cool With Descended Testicles," 28 June 2018 Director Alex Richanbach employs a sharp stylistic contrast between dim and dreary New York City and vibrant Spain, where Harper is sent by her shrew of a boss (Michaela Watkins) to land a sangria client. — Katie Walsh, latimes.com, "Gillian Jacobs gets wild in girl-tripping comedy 'Ibiza'," 24 May 2018 Other predator groups such as bats, primates, shrews, hedgehogs, frogs, salamanders and lizards also seem to be valuable bug eaters but are less effective natural enemies of plant-eating insects. — Doyle Rice, USA TODAY, "Yum! Birds eat up to 550 million tons of insects each year," 9 July 2018 Other predator groups such as bats, primates, shrews, hedgehogs, frogs, salamanders and lizards also seem to be valuable bug eaters but are less effective natural enemies of plant-eating insects. — Doyle Rice, ajc, "Yum! Birds eat up to 550 million tons of insects each year," 9 July 2018 As Susan, Jerry's soon-to-be wife who doesn't really want her wedding day to be a playground for grown men, Bibb could have easily been cast as the shrew trying to put an end to the fun. — refinery29.com, "Tag Changed This One Major Detail For The Movie & Avoided A Horrible Trope," 15 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'shrew.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.