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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Recent Examples of gnaw
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
To distract you from gnawing your nails in anticipation, here are two books to add to your pile.
—Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 11 Mar. 2026
The misery of last year appeared to gnaw away at Hamilton’s enjoyment of the sport.
—Luke Smith, New York Times, 10 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for gnaw
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
To distract you from gnawing your nails in anticipation, here are two books to add to your pile.
—Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 11 Mar. 2026
The misery of last year appeared to gnaw away at Hamilton’s enjoyment of the sport.
—Luke Smith, New York Times, 10 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for gnaw
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gnaw
Verb
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The federal gas tax has also remained unchanged since 1993, which experts say has already eroded the Highway Trust Fund’s purchasing power when accounting for inflation.—
Wyatte Grantham-Philips,
Chicago Tribune,
14 May 2026
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Yet with the tool’s skyrocketing popularity, some experts worry about potential hallucinations or incomplete answers, the potential for doctors’ critical thinking skills to erode and more.—
Elizabeth Robinson,
NBC news,
13 May 2026
Verb
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Everyone is eating tostadas and trying dishes off the menu that changes every week, showcasing Giuseppe Lacorazza's market-focused, simple soulful cooking.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
16 May 2026
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Misael eating meat alone, cutting up pieces with an enormous knife while barely lit by the flames in front of him, and, sporadically, almost-silent lightning bursts in the distant background.—
Vadim Rizov,
IndieWire,
16 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Gnaw.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gnaw. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
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