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

Are books strewn about because someone is researching? —John Koetsier, Forbes.com, 20 Jan. 2026

Her accessories—a teal pair of open-toe pumps and a black bag with a gold chain strap–are strewn off to the side. —Hannah Malach, InStyle, 16 Jan. 2026

The limited number of videos that have emerged show hundreds of corpses strewn across the floors of hospitals and morgues. —Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 13 Jan. 2026

Inside, Kathryn Newton mingled with Chace Crawford near a decadent charcuterie spread and a piano mysteriously strewn with bread rolls and roses. —Rachel Marlowe, Vanity Fair, 11 Jan. 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