hew

verb

ˈhyü How to pronounce hew (audio)
Definition of hewnext
1
as in to mow
to bring down by cutting laboriously hewed trees to build their rude log cabins

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in to adhere
to hold to something firmly as if by adhesion decided to hew to the original plan rather than change everything

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of hew Thousands of years ago, the region was the southernmost capital of the Nabataeans—the ancient civilization that built Petra—whose ornate tombs are hewn into the rocks. — Ruby Tandoh, New Yorker, 7 Sep. 2026 But the village, which the story goes was hewn out of the wilderness, never took off that way. — Frank Witsil, Freep.com, 7 Sep. 2026 While Marino has worked with some of the world’s top collectors, from Bernard Arnault to David Martinez, his taste is one that doesn’t hew at all to market trends. — Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 27 Aug. 2026 Chaucer, Shakespeare and Milton are examples of authors who hewed closely to writers who had come before them. — Roger J. Kreuz, The Conversation, 21 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for hew
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hew
  1. mow
  2. adhere
  3. fell
  4. stick
  5. cling
Verb
  • In those areas, IDOT mows less often, applies targeted herbicides to invasive plants, and in some instances sows milkweed seed and other native plants.
    — Susan DeGrane, Chicago Tribune, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Overseed thin areas, mow at the proper height, and maintain consistent watering so grass can outcompete weeds.
    — Jessica Safavimehr, Southern Living, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of mow
Verb
  • As such, the press is not allowed to publish details that might lead to any of the accusers being identified, and coverage of the trial will adhere strictly to what happens in court.
    — Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 12 Oct. 2026
  • Top with reserved hazelnuts and press in gently to adhere (surface will be smothered with nuts).
    — Tanya Bush, Bon Appetit Magazine, 10 Oct. 2026
Definition of adhere
Verb
  • Griess, the superintendent of the National Mall and Memorial Parks, said the 430 trees that were felled were not identified as hazardous or raising safety concerns.
    — Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 12 Oct. 2026
  • Yet trees that took a millennium to grow can be felled in under an hour.
    — Annika Hammerschlag, Los Angeles Times, 16 Sep. 2026
Definition of fell
Verb
  • So imagine my surprise when the one innovation to stick — literally — turns out to be one marketed for men.
    — Jenny B. Fine, Footwear News, 9 Oct. 2026
  • In a cozy suburb of Minneapolis, a guy in a blue jumpsuit is once again stuck aboard a space station with his robot pals, watching the worst movies ever made.
    — Joe Otterson, Variety, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of stick
Verb
  • Mykola Murskyj, senior adviser on policy and strategy at the nonprofit organization Razom for Ukraine, told the Washington Examiner that Zelensky isn’t just arbitrarily clinging to power — the entire country is wary of voting during wartime.
    — Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Rescues were reported in multiple counties on Saturday, including people found in floodwaters, clinging to a piece of a dock along the Freedom Trail Greenway in Burke County, officials say.
    — Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of cling

Phrases Containing hew

Browse Nearby Words

het up
hew
hewed
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Cite this Entry

“Hew.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hew. Accessed 17 Oct. 2026.

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