shrew
19 synonyms and 1 antonym for shrew, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A small, mouse-like, mostly nocturnal mammal with a pointed snout.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Synonyms by Meaning
1. noun
A small, mouse-like, mostly nocturnal mammal with a pointed snout.
“A shrew darted through the leaf litter, hunting insects.”
2. noun
An ill-tempered, nagging woman (old-fashioned, now considered sexist).
“The old play mocked its heroine as a shrew who needed "taming."”
Opposites
Etymology
From Old English screawa ("shrew"), ultimately from a root meaning "thin" or "small."
Full origin of shrew →Frequently asked questions
What does “shrew” mean?
The word “shrew” means a small, mouse-like, mostly nocturnal mammal with a pointed snout. In plain terms, a small pointy-nosed mammal, or, in old-fashioned usage, a nagging woman.
How do you pronounce “shrew”?
“Shrew” is pronounced shroo (/ʃɹuː/ in IPA).
How do you use “shrew” in a sentence?
Here is “shrew” used in a sentence: “A shrew darted through the leaf litter, hunting insects.”
What is another word for “shrew”?
Words with a similar meaning to “shrew” include battle axe, brim, brimstone, crow, cat and dragon.
What part of speech is “shrew”?
“Shrew” is a noun.
Where does the word “shrew” come from?
The word “shrew” comes from Old English. From Old English screawa ("shrew"), ultimately from a root meaning "thin" or "small.".
How many meanings does “shrew” have?
“Shrew” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a small, mouse-like, mostly nocturnal mammal with a pointed snout.
