gnaw

verb

ˈnȯ

gnawed; gnawing; gnaws

transitive verb

: to bite or chew on with the teeth

especially : to wear away by persistent biting or nibbling

a dog gnawing a bone

: to make by gnawing

rats gnawed a hole

: to be a source of vexation to : plague

anxiety always gnawing him

: to affect like gnawing

hunger gnawing her vitals

: erode, corrode

intransitive verb

: to bite or nibble persistently

gnawing at his underlip

: 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

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

单词	gnawers
释义	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 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 gnaw at gnaw at Kids Definition gnaw verb ˈnȯ gnawed; gnawing : to bite so as to wear away : bite or chew upon The dog gnawed a bone. gnawers noun plural of gnawer as in annoyers one who is obnoxiously annoying like a dog who won't let go of a bone, that gnawer in the backseat wouldn't quit mentioning that I had made a wrong turn and gotten us lost Synonyms & Similar Words Relevance annoyers nuisances pests annoyances teases nudnicks pains in the neck pains bothers teasers gadflies persecutors headaches interruptors nudniks plagues harriers interrupters torturers hecklers tormentors tormenters harassers molesters hassles Antonyms & Near Antonyms charmers smoothies comforters solacers soothers
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gnaw

verb

Synonyms

Example Sentences

Word History

Phrases Containing gnaw

Kids Definition

verb

noun