gnaw
verb
ˈnȯ 
gnawed; gnawing; gnaws
transitive verb
1
a
: to bite or chew on with the teeth
especially : to wear away by persistent biting or nibbling
a dog gnawing a bone
b
: to make by gnawing
rats gnawed a hole
2
a
: to be a source of vexation to : plague
anxiety always gnawing him
b
: to affect like gnawing
hunger gnawing her vitals
3
: erode, corrode
intransitive verb
1
: to bite or nibble persistently
gnawing at his underlip
2
: to produce an effect of or as if of gnawing
waves gnawing away at the cliffs
gnawer
ˈnȯ(-ə)r
noun 
Synonyms
- bite (at)
- corrode
- eat
- erode
- fret
- nibble
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
The dog was gnawing a bone. He nervously gnawed on his fingernails. Rabbits have gnawed at the hedge. Rabbits had gnawed a hole in the hedge.
Recent Examples on the Web While Jack is supportive and excited, the question of paternity continues to gnaw at him. 
Amethyst Tate, PEOPLE.com, 8 July 2022 He is gone now, and the waves gnaw at the shore and the island slowly sinks into the sea. Rafil Kroll-zaidi, Harper’s Magazine , 17 Aug. 2022 While Jack is supportive and excited, the question of paternity continues to gnaw at him. Amethyst Tate, PEOPLE.com, 8 July 2022 While Jack is supportive and excited, the question of paternity continues to gnaw at him. Amethyst Tate, PEOPLE.com, 8 July 2022 Despite the agreement, analysts say the economic fallout from the war has begun to gnaw at European unity against Moscow. Paul Hannon, WSJ, 31 May 2022 Those numbers gnaw at swimming instructor Beverly Iseghohi as summer approaches and people flock to pools, beaches and lakes to cool down and have fun. Ernie Suggs, ajc, 25 May 2022 Voles go for grass, but also gnaw on shrubs and stems nearest their holes and runways. oregonlive, 16 May 2022 As the creepy events around Harper grow more malevolent, easy explanations are scarce, but the film is littered with symbolism beyond its central casting, giving viewers plenty to gnaw on during repeat viewings. David Sims, The Atlantic, 14 May 2022 See More
Amethyst Tate, PEOPLE.com, 8 July 2022 He is gone now, and the waves gnaw at the shore and the island slowly sinks into the sea. Rafil Kroll-zaidi, Harper’s Magazine , 17 Aug. 2022 While Jack is supportive and excited, the question of paternity continues to gnaw at him. Amethyst Tate, PEOPLE.com, 8 July 2022 While Jack is supportive and excited, the question of paternity continues to gnaw at him. Amethyst Tate, PEOPLE.com, 8 July 2022 Despite the agreement, analysts say the economic fallout from the war has begun to gnaw at European unity against Moscow. Paul Hannon, WSJ, 31 May 2022 Those numbers gnaw at swimming instructor Beverly Iseghohi as summer approaches and people flock to pools, beaches and lakes to cool down and have fun. Ernie Suggs, ajc, 25 May 2022 Voles go for grass, but also gnaw on shrubs and stems nearest their holes and runways. oregonlive, 16 May 2022 As the creepy events around Harper grow more malevolent, easy explanations are scarce, but the film is littered with symbolism beyond its central casting, giving viewers plenty to gnaw on during repeat viewings. David Sims, The Atlantic, 14 May 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Middle English gnawen, from Old English gnagan; akin to Old High German gnagan to gnaw
First Known Use
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a
Phrases Containing gnaw
Kids Definition
gnaw
verb
ˈnȯ
gnawed; gnawing
: to bite so as to wear away : bite or chew upon
The dog gnawed a bone.
gnaw
verb
as in to erode
to consume or wear away gradually time has gnawed that author's reputation to the point where he rates little more than a footnote Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- erode
- eat
- nibble
- corrode
- destroy
- fret
- disintegrate
- bite (at)
- decompose
- ruin
- dissolve
- decimate
- wreck
- waste
- devastate
- break up
- break down
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- freshen
- regenerate
- revive
- renew
- refresh
- revitalize
- restore
- rejuvenate
- recreate
- refreshen