gnaw

verb \ ˈnȯ \

Definition of gnaw

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

play \ˈnȯ(-ə)r\ noun

See gnaw defined for English-language learners

See gnaw defined for kids

Examples of gnaw in a Sentence

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 of gnaw from the Web

But they were gnawed to the base Friday night, as Carlson pulled out a last-second 31-28 victory at Woodhaven.

— wright wilson, Detroit Free Press, "Gibraltar Carlson nips rival Woodhaven, 31-28, with late Stewart touchdown," 25 Aug. 2017
These conspicuous beneficiaries of that tradition, without apparently giving it any thought, have spent their lives gnawing at its roots and disparaging its principal precepts.

— conrad black, National Review, "The Media ‘In Crowd’," 15 Aug. 2017
The bones were also covered in human tooth marks from biting and gnawing, and some had been broken open for their marrow.

— annalee newitz, Ars Technica, "14,700 years ago, cannibals conducted rituals in this English cave," 11 Aug. 2017
Tim and Megan Kelly's two mixed Boxers, Jack and Cassie, have a habit of gnawing everything in their Arbutus home.

— jon bleiweis, baltimoresun.com, "Interest grows in pet CPR, first aid training," 11 Aug. 2017
The Cyclones were trailing 21–16, but something else was gnawing at head coach Matt Campbell.

— bruce feldman, SI.com, "Iowa State's bold plan to turn its starting quarterback into a starting linebacker," 20 July 2017
The contrary forces, pain and pleasure, trust and fear, all bounce around in your bones with the gnawing feeling that magic might actually be real.

— che grayson, Teen Vogue, "Lauryn Hill Taught Me About Being Black in a Mis-Educated America," 17 July 2017
Tormund directly signaled his attraction last season by gnawing lustily on what looked like the roasted rib bone of some large, dead animal.

— rena gross, Billboard, "'Game of Thrones': 8 Best Moments from the Season 7 Premiere, 'Dragonstone'," 17 July 2017
Gnawing away the roots of marsh plants, nutria leave little to hold the fragile landscape in place.

— tristan baurick, NOLA.com, "In the nutria zone, higher bounty considered for Louisiana's most wanted rodent," 11 July 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'gnaw.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of gnaw

Middle English gnawen, from Old English gnagan; akin to Old High German gnagan to gnaw

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: before 12th century

See Words from the same year

gnaw Synonyms

Synonyms

bite (at), corrode, erode, fret, eat, nibble

Related Words

break down, break up, decompose, disintegrate, dissolve; decimate, destroy, devastate, ruin, waste, wreck

Near Antonyms

freshen, recreate, refresh, refreshen, regenerate, rejuvenate, renew, restore, revitalize, revive

GNAW Defined for English Language Learners

gnaw

verb

Definition of gnaw for English Language Learners

: to bite or chew (something) repeatedly
: to make (a hole in something) by chewing

GNAW Defined for Kids

gnaw

verb \ ˈnȯ \

Definition of gnaw for Students

gnawed; gnawing

:to bite so as to wear away :bite or chew upon

The dog gnawed a bone.

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See words that rhyme with gnaw Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for gnaw Spanish Central: Translation of gnaw Nglish: Translation of gnaw for Spanish speakers

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gnaw

Definition of gnaw

gnawer

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Examples of gnaw in a Sentence

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Origin and Etymology of gnaw

gnaw Synonyms

Synonyms

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GNAW Defined for English Language Learners

gnaw

Definition of gnaw for English Language Learners

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gnaw

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