1
as in to mow
to bring down by cutting laboriously hewed trees to build their rude log cabins

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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

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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 Like their predecessors, these series will most likely aim to hew closely to their stranger-than-fiction origins while giving the creators artistic license in how the cases are brought to life onscreen. Maya Salam, New York Times, 30 May 2025 Milton was pardoned before a judge had a chance to approve that figure, but experts said judges typically hew closely to prosecutors' calculations. Lucien Bruggeman, ABC News, 12 June 2025 Their objections hew closely to the divisions that split House Republicans. Jonathan Easley, The Hill, 23 May 2025 Her raw material — rough bark that has been neither hewed nor polished — is gathered together and then arranged in perfect geometrical shapes that appeal to the human eye. Ray Mark Rinaldi, Denver Post, 12 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for hew
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hew
Verb
  • With the abundance of rain and sunshine in the summer, grass can grow at an almost alarming rate, forcing homeowners to mow their lawns frequently.
    Brandi Fuller, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 July 2025
  • Pay attention to the weather and wait to mow until the grass has dried and the soil is firm following a rainfall event.
    Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 10 July 2025
Verb
  • That means all organizations should take note of this deadline and adhere if possible.
    Zak Doffman, Forbes.com, 18 June 2025
  • Authorities urged the public to monitor updates and adhere strictly to safety instructions issued during this period.
    Barney Henderson, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 June 2025
Verb
  • Homes and green spaces have been swallowed up by the HS2 building work, and trees — some of them hundreds of years old — have been felled.
    Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 8 July 2025
  • Winds felled two large pine trees in her neighbors’ yards.
    Jordan Smith, IndyStar, 2 July 2025
Verb
  • Thompson will need to prove the most in this area to stick, as well.
    Joe Buscaglia, New York Times, 11 July 2025
  • The new websites offer a variety of information that appears to stick closely to generally accepted definitions and science around geoengineering and the government’s ongoing research on contrails.
    Pilar Melendez, NBC news, 10 July 2025
Verb
  • The sturdy, angled bristles swept cleanly across both indoor and outdoor surfaces, and none of the debris clung to them.
    Melanie Fincher, Southern Living, 10 July 2025
  • These relaxed shorts won’t cling to your skin on sweltering afternoons, while the sweat-wicking, stretchy material will work overtime to keep you cool.
    Amelia McBride, Travel + Leisure, 10 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Hew.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hew. Accessed 24 Jul. 2025.

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