gnash

verb

ˈnash 

gnashed; gnashing; gnashes

transitive verb

: to strike or grind (the teeth) together

gnash noun

Synonyms of gnash

• grit
• scrape
• scratch

Examples of gnash in a Sentence

dogs gnashing their teeth

Recent Examples on the Web

With goat horns, gnashing teeth and a long tongue to taste one's sins, Krampus is nothing short of horrifying. —Deena Prichep, NPR, 8 Dec. 2025

The level of tension in this film reaches teeth-gnashing levels. —Alison Willmore, Vulture, 1 Dec. 2025

So with plenty of gnashing from Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer and House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, the two New Yorkers watched Sunday as the Senate found 60 votes to allow the debate to get started on a way out of this mess. —Philip Elliott, Time, 10 Nov. 2025

In 2022, when the scandal of the Long Island congressman George Santos’s made‑up résumé came to light, press experts gnashed their teeth about The New York Times having missed the story. —Literary Hub, 7 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

alteration of Middle English gnasten

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing gnash

• gnash one's teeth

Rhymes for gnash

• ash
• bash
• brash
• cache
• cash
• clash
• crash
• dash
• flash
• gash
• hash
• lash

Kids Definition

gnash

verb

ˈnash 

: to strike or grind (as the teeth) together