strew

[ stroo ]

verb (used with object)

, strewed, strewn [stroon] or strewed, strew·ing.

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

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

From BBC

Fallen electricity pylons lined the motorway from the capital's west to Artemisa, and towns along the route were strewn with branches and debris from damaged homes.

From BBC

Many seemed scrupulously cared for, but in others a rotted half-sprung mattress would block an upper floor window, with trash strewn in the yard.

From Salon

He paused to take in the strewn debris.

From Salon

Several people in the southern city of Zaporizhzhia were injured as 29 homes were destroyed and pictures released by regional officials show a giant crater in the mud, with bricks and wood strewn all around.

From BBC

Related Words

• scatter
• sprinkle