Strew: meaning, definitions and examples

Use for describing something being spread in a disorderly way, often on the ground or over a surface.

• The children strewed their toys all over the living room.
• She strewed flower petals along the aisle.

Implies throwing or dropping things over a wide area, often without a specific pattern.

• He scattered the ashes into the ocean.
• The papers were scattered all over the floor.

Best used for describing small amounts of something being lightly and evenly distributed, often related to particles or liquids.

• She sprinkled sugar on top of the cake.
• The gardener sprinkled water on the flowers.

Used when something is distributed or applied over an area, or more generally when something increases its reach.

• She spread the butter on the toast.
• The news of the event quickly spread through the town.

Appropriate for describing something being spread out widely in different directions, often used for groups of people or particles.

• The police ordered the crowd to disperse.
• The wind helped to disperse the seeds over a large area.