as in to erode
to consume or wear away gradually
time has gnawed that author's reputation to the point where he rates little more than a footnote
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of gnaw
Pastor John Mark Comer has won a massive audience by encouraging his followers to free themselves from the gnawing sense that there is always more to do, Nancy Walecki writes.
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David A. Graham,
The Atlantic,
27 Apr. 2026
Voles are likely to blame when previously-healthy plantings topple over for no apparent reason or when a tree is girdled around its base from gnawing.
—
Arricca Elin Sansone,
Southern Living,
19 Apr. 2026
If for some reason a coral snake does gnaw on you, its venom can cause paralysis.
—
Nicole Villalpando,
Austin American Statesman,
30 Mar. 2026
Things are kept mostly under wraps in this trailer, which spotlights the family vibe and the gnawing concern that something isn’t right, alongside jarring footage of a suburban street torn asunder.
—
William Earl,
Variety,
26 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for gnaw
David A. Graham,
The Atlantic,
27 Apr. 2026
Voles are likely to blame when previously-healthy plantings topple over for no apparent reason or when a tree is girdled around its base from gnawing.
—
Arricca Elin Sansone,
Southern Living,
19 Apr. 2026
If for some reason a coral snake does gnaw on you, its venom can cause paralysis.
—
Nicole Villalpando,
Austin American Statesman,
30 Mar. 2026
Things are kept mostly under wraps in this trailer, which spotlights the family vibe and the gnawing concern that something isn’t right, alongside jarring footage of a suburban street torn asunder.
—
William Earl,
Variety,
26 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for gnaw
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gnaw
Verb
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That pressure erodes well-being, undermines family life, and disproportionately impacts working parents and caregivers.
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Starmer is leaving after two years in office marred by missteps and judgment errors that eroded his standing with his party and the public.
Verb
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Kansas City Council member Melissa Patterson Hazley spent most of her day in the district attending openings for new businesses, visiting shows and eating at restaurants.
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After eating, some of the nuns are wheeled out into the sun, but there are not enough wheelchairs.
Cite this Entry
“Gnaw.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gnaw. Accessed 27 Jun. 2026.
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