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

There’s no reason a team with Gold Glovers strewn across the diamond shouldn’t be looking to fill its staff with pitchers who put the ball on the ground. — Sahadev Sharma, New York Times, 3 Oct. 2026

Today, the toys strewn across Charlie’s office floor and the toddler-size desk and chairs in the room abutting the podcast studio serve as artifacts of their former life. — Clara Molot, Vanity Fair, 29 Sep. 2026

Video footage from the scene showed rubble strewn across the street, with parked cars smashed by falling debris. — ABC News, 26 Sep. 2026

In places like the port city of Lazaro Cardenas, seawater swept through homes Thursday and left wooden planks and furniture strewn on the streets. — Megan Janetsky, Arkansas Online, 25 Sep. 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