Rock-strewn

Describing an area or surface that is covered or scattered with rocks, stones, or boulders. This often implies a rough, uneven, and possibly difficult terrain. The rocks can vary in size, from small pebbles to large, imposing formations. The term evokes a sense of natural, often rugged, landscapes, and can be used literally or figuratively to describe a challenging or difficult situation. The degree of rockiness can vary; some rock-strewn landscapes might be impassable without specialized equipment, while others might simply require careful footing. It suggests an environment shaped by geological forces, potentially wind, water, or tectonic activity. The imagery often includes a visual texture and the implied sound of the environment, perhaps the crunch of rocks underfoot or the echo of wind through stone.

Rock-strewn meaning with examples

• The hikers, exhausted but exhilarated, finally reached the summit. Their path, a seemingly endless incline, had been a rock-strewn trail, making the ascent a constant test of balance and endurance. They found the panoramic view, a sea of mountains stretching to the horizon, was worth the difficulty. The air thinned with every step, but the hikers pressed on, driven by the promise of the summit.
• The archaeologist surveyed the rock-strewn battlefield, the remnants of ancient conflicts still scattered across the desolate plain. The broken pottery, fragments of armor, and the silent witnesses of a time long past lay amongst the stones. They felt a sense of both awe and sadness, as they contemplated the lives lived and lost in the endless cycles of war and conflict.
• The small, struggling garden was situated in an area of unyielding terrain. Attempting to transform the rock-strewn wasteland into a verdant paradise proved to be a difficult endeavour. Despite the challenges, she persisted, clearing the stones, amending the soil, and planting seeds. Through her persistence she had transformed the rocky landscape into something truly special.
• The artist stared at the canvas, the rough, rock-strewn texture of the raw materials. He struggled to depict the internal chaos that raged within him. Seeking to express the raw emotion he felt, he hoped to translate his mental landscape into a tangible representation of his heart, a physical manifestation of an unseen truth.
• The spacecraft touched down on a rock-strewn asteroid, miles from Earth. The desolate planet's surface created an eerie silence. The mission's goal was to collect rock samples and research their composition, but the rugged, rocky terrain provided its own set of challenges that demanded creativity and patience. The crew knew their work would pave the way for future explorations.