strew

[ stroo ]

verb (used with object)

strewed, strewn [stroon] or strewed, strewing.

1. to let fall in separate pieces or particles over a surface; scatter or sprinkle:

   to strew seed in a garden bed.

   Synonyms: broadcast

   Antonyms: reap, gather

2. to cover or overspread (a surface, place, etc.) with something scattered or sprinkled:

   to strew a floor with sawdust.

3. to be scattered or sprinkled over (a surface):

   Sawdust strewed the floor.

4. to spread widely; disseminate:

   to strew rumors among the troops.

strew

/ struː /

verb

1. to spread or scatter or be spread or scattered, as over a surface or area

Derived Forms

• ˈstrewer, noun

Other Words From

• strew·er noun
• un·der·strew verb (used with object) understrewed understrewn or understrewed understrewing

Word History and Origins

Origin of strew¹

First recorded before 1000; Middle English strewen, Old English strewian; cognate with German streuen, Old Norse strā, Gothic straujan; akin to Latin sternere “to spread” ( stratum )

Word History and Origins

Origin of strew¹

Old English streowian; related to Old Norse strā, Old High German streuwen, Latin struere to spread

Synonym Study

See sprinkle.

Example Sentences

Cabler staggered up a street strewn with dead bodies, destroyed cars and broken glass everywhere he looked.

From Los Angeles Times

Units that housed patients were torn apart, their ceilings displaying gaping holes, with debris strewed through hallways and patient rooms.

From New York Times

Videos and images of the clashes shared on social media show slippers, bricks and stones strewn around the mosque.

From BBC

Today it is known more for rampant drug use and homelessness, needles strewn on the ground and overdose deaths from fentanyl and other narcotics in the park and nearby alleys.

From Los Angeles Times

Images show debris strewn across the highway as one of the vehicles appeared to have hit the back of the other.

From BBC

Related Words

• scatter
• sprinkle