as in eating
to crush or grind with the teeth
please chew your food thoroughly so you don't choke
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Recent Examples of chewing
According to Science, this implies that a paste was deliberately applied, rather than the staining being a byproduct of chewing betel nuts for a euphoric high.
—
Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 14 Feb. 2026
Nobody gave teeth the update that modern jaws are chewing less on wild game and more on applesauce, especially in their youth.
—Sara Kiley Watson, Popular Science, 4 Feb. 2026
Historically, kratom has been used in traditional medicines by brewing it in teas or chewing the leaves.
—Gary Kirkilas Ii, Boston Herald, 1 Feb. 2026
Some may be more liquid, while others really require chewing.
—Bestreviews, Mercury News, 26 Jan. 2026
In other words, the chin contributes negligibly to resisting chewing forces.
—Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 24 Jan. 2026
An electric blanket is not a good choice for pets due to chewing that can lead to overheating or shocks.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 18 Jan. 2026
This can look like taking a moment to take in what your food looks and smells like, and chewing your food slowly, noticing the taste and texture – like a wine-tasting experience but with your meal.
—Michele Patterson Ford, The Conversation, 15 Jan. 2026
The fire was sparked by the homeowner's dog, who started the blaze by chewing on the glove that contained a lithium-ion battery.
—Charlotte Phillipp, PEOPLE, 12 Jan. 2026
Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 14 Feb. 2026
Nobody gave teeth the update that modern jaws are chewing less on wild game and more on applesauce, especially in their youth.
—Sara Kiley Watson, Popular Science, 4 Feb. 2026
Historically, kratom has been used in traditional medicines by brewing it in teas or chewing the leaves.
—Gary Kirkilas Ii, Boston Herald, 1 Feb. 2026
Some may be more liquid, while others really require chewing.
—Bestreviews, Mercury News, 26 Jan. 2026
In other words, the chin contributes negligibly to resisting chewing forces.
—Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 24 Jan. 2026
An electric blanket is not a good choice for pets due to chewing that can lead to overheating or shocks.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 18 Jan. 2026
This can look like taking a moment to take in what your food looks and smells like, and chewing your food slowly, noticing the taste and texture – like a wine-tasting experience but with your meal.
—Michele Patterson Ford, The Conversation, 15 Jan. 2026
The fire was sparked by the homeowner's dog, who started the blaze by chewing on the glove that contained a lithium-ion battery.
—Charlotte Phillipp, PEOPLE, 12 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for chewing
Verb
-
Hunters and birdwatchers are advised to wear gloves when handling birds or feeders, to wash hands thoroughly after any contact, and to not eating birds that appear sick or birds that are found dead.—
Bryan Hendricks,
Arkansas Online,
15 Feb. 2026
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It was directed by that Michael Bay, and in it, an Alexander Hamilton super-fan is eating a peanut butter sandwich when his phone rings.—
Patt Morrison,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Our fellow guests were all seated at garden tables, nibbling sandwiches cut into little triangles and sipping from fancy teacups.—
Flora Stubbs,
Travel + Leisure,
7 Feb. 2026
-
This is an inexpensive and simple way to deter nibbling animals.—
Peg Aloi,
The Spruce,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Unfortunately, deer enjoy munching on daylilies.—
Arricca Elin SanSone,
Southern Living,
14 Feb. 2026
-
Two months later, the official trailer arrived to reveal that Bowser is still tiny after munching on a mini mushroom at the end of the first film.—
Randall Colburn,
Entertainment Weekly,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Fiber intake, in particular, showed a strong association with longevity, while consuming lots of sugary beverages was linked to higher all-cause mortality.—
Jackie Flynn Mogensen,
Scientific American,
13 Feb. 2026
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What’s more, in athletes, typical signs of an eating disorder, such as training for long hours without appropriate breaks for meals or obsessing about only consuming certain healthy foods, can be overlooked due to the normalization of these behaviors in high-level sports.—
Emily Hemendinger,
The Conversation,
13 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Chewing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/chewing. Accessed 21 Feb. 2026.
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