gnawed; gnawing; gnaws
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 had 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
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
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 on the Web
Picking up a drumstick and gnawing it clean, past the cartilage and down to the bone, was accepted without a second look.
—
Literary Hub, 20 Jan. 2026
The lengthy posts are the latest development in the long-standing family feud that has gnawed away at the Beckhams’ attempts to project a perfect family life.
—Rebecca Cohen, NBC news, 20 Jan. 2026
But on Monday, there was only that pit-of-your-stomach gnawing concoction of disappointment, frustration and emptiness that foments when a chance for history is squandered.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 20 Jan. 2026
Leave the top open rather than filling it with leaves, which could create an inviting home for bark-gnawing rodents.
—Luke Miller, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for gnaw
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Literary Hub, 20 Jan. 2026
The lengthy posts are the latest development in the long-standing family feud that has gnawed away at the Beckhams’ attempts to project a perfect family life.
—Rebecca Cohen, NBC news, 20 Jan. 2026
But on Monday, there was only that pit-of-your-stomach gnawing concoction of disappointment, frustration and emptiness that foments when a chance for history is squandered.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 20 Jan. 2026
Leave the top open rather than filling it with leaves, which could create an inviting home for bark-gnawing rodents.
—Luke Miller, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for gnaw
Cite this Entry
“Gnaw.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gnaw. Accessed 28 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
