as in masticated
to crush or grind with the teeth
please chew your food thoroughly so you don't choke
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Recent Examples of chewed
During that time, no rat infestation was identified, but there were mouse droppings, and some food products had been chewed open, the city health department said.
—
Adam Thompson, CBS News, 12 Mar. 2026
Under those tarps was a small camping tent, in theory to keep out mosquitoes and mice, although at some point mice chewed a hole through it, allowing mosquitoes to sneak through as well.
—Robert Moor, New Yorker, 2 Mar. 2026
Across almost two decades of ownership under Roman Abramovich, the club ruthlessly chewed through many of the world’s most famous and successful coaches, banking a steady flow of trophies and pressing the ‘eject’ button at the first sign of failure.
—The Athletic Staff, New York Times, 15 Feb. 2026
And, the seeds need to be chewed or crushed—eating them whole won’t affect you.
—Alexandra Kelly, Martha Stewart, 31 Jan. 2026
Citrus seeds contain compounds called cyanogenic glycosides, which can release trace amounts of hydrogen cyanide, a naturally occurring chemical that, in larger amounts, can interfere with how the body uses oxygen, when seeds are thoroughly chewed or crushed.
—Stacey Lastoe, Southern Living, 30 Jan. 2026
Upon our arrival to Wilderness Vumbura Plains, our guide, Kabo, skillfully navigates the Jeep between sandy hills and flooded grasslands, occasionally swerving to avoid tree trunks chewed down to their stumps by elephants.
—Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Jan. 2026
In one instance, the facility in Hartford reportedly had to close its kitchen for three to four weeks after rodents had chewed their way into the food supply, the report said.
—Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 20 Jan. 2026
An Ottawa Fire Services investigator determined the fire started after the family dog chewed on a heated skiing glove containing a lithium-ion battery.
—Stephen Sorace, FOXNews.com, 12 Jan. 2026
Adam Thompson, CBS News, 12 Mar. 2026
Under those tarps was a small camping tent, in theory to keep out mosquitoes and mice, although at some point mice chewed a hole through it, allowing mosquitoes to sneak through as well.
—Robert Moor, New Yorker, 2 Mar. 2026
Across almost two decades of ownership under Roman Abramovich, the club ruthlessly chewed through many of the world’s most famous and successful coaches, banking a steady flow of trophies and pressing the ‘eject’ button at the first sign of failure.
—The Athletic Staff, New York Times, 15 Feb. 2026
And, the seeds need to be chewed or crushed—eating them whole won’t affect you.
—Alexandra Kelly, Martha Stewart, 31 Jan. 2026
Citrus seeds contain compounds called cyanogenic glycosides, which can release trace amounts of hydrogen cyanide, a naturally occurring chemical that, in larger amounts, can interfere with how the body uses oxygen, when seeds are thoroughly chewed or crushed.
—Stacey Lastoe, Southern Living, 30 Jan. 2026
Upon our arrival to Wilderness Vumbura Plains, our guide, Kabo, skillfully navigates the Jeep between sandy hills and flooded grasslands, occasionally swerving to avoid tree trunks chewed down to their stumps by elephants.
—Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Jan. 2026
In one instance, the facility in Hartford reportedly had to close its kitchen for three to four weeks after rodents had chewed their way into the food supply, the report said.
—Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 20 Jan. 2026
An Ottawa Fire Services investigator determined the fire started after the family dog chewed on a heated skiing glove containing a lithium-ion battery.
—Stephen Sorace, FOXNews.com, 12 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for chewed
Verb
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On one day in late December, Eden barely ate all day.—
Angela Andaloro,
People.com,
5 Aug. 2025
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While neither is an effective big league pitcher at this point, those moves ate into the Yankees’ limited rotation depth.—
Gary Phillips,
New York Daily News,
4 Aug. 2025
Verb
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For years, not having enough money nibbled at my aunt’s health.—
Jenisha Watts,
The Atlantic,
2 Mar. 2026
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What Wear's cocktail reception at Kabawa brought together names like Lana Condor, Tefi Pessoa and Jessel Taank, who joined in the festivities as guests nibbled on oysters and mini beef patties (with goody bags presented by Maison BCBG on the way out the door).—
Anika Reed,
USA Today,
18 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The sponsor group believes this is a direct result of the large portion of the rental market being consumed by short-term rentals, especially those owned by individuals who do not live in Borrego Springs.—
Hannah Elsmore,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
30 Mar. 2026
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Changing consumer appetites Once the primary source of community news and information, local TV news stations are struggling with their own tough story, one marked by declining ratings, stagnant revenue growth and rapid shifts in how media is consumed in the internet era.—
Andrew J. Campa,
Los Angeles Times,
29 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Plant marigolds as a border plant, as well as intersperse them with your kale crop to make sure that your greens don’t get munched.—
Haniya Rae,
Martha Stewart,
12 Mar. 2026
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The night started out with a cocktail party in an airy and bright residence in the Mandarin Oriental, as realtors sipped drinks and munched on bites as live music played.—
Hadley Meares,
HollywoodReporter,
18 Sep. 2025
Verb
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In Aden alone, the count is in the hundreds — most of them swallowed by a secret prison network managed by the UAE and its affiliated forces, where torture, beatings and abuse were common, according to the Yemeni government, human rights organizations and the United Nations.—
Nabih Bulos,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Mar. 2026
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Another recall targeted Sunnyyes LED mini lights, which were sold on Amazon between March 2024 and March 2026, and contain coin batteries that can be easily accessed and then potentially swallowed.—
Amanda Greenwood,
MSNBC Newsweek,
29 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Chewed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/chewed. Accessed 31 Mar. 2026.
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