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
Tabo’s mother’s gnawing sense of guilt is fully parsed and inhabited, even as the murderous compulsion of her son is left untouched.
—
Katie Kitamura, Harpers Magazine, 16 July 2025
Sacramento County health inspectors closed a local Rite Aid drugstore after discovering roughly 140 rodent droppings, gnaw marks and other evidence of a vermin infestation.
—Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado
updated July 11, Sacbee.com, 11 July 2025
Research has even proposed that the ability to butcher meat may have caused early humans to evolve smaller teeth and jaws than their chimpanzee relatives, who could easily gnaw on tough foods.
—Jack Knudson, Discover Magazine, 3 July 2025
For her part, Janney plays Macy with lots of warmth but also a gnawing sense of disappointment.
—Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 13 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for gnaw
Katie Kitamura, Harpers Magazine, 16 July 2025
Sacramento County health inspectors closed a local Rite Aid drugstore after discovering roughly 140 rodent droppings, gnaw marks and other evidence of a vermin infestation.
—Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado
updated July 11, Sacbee.com, 11 July 2025
Research has even proposed that the ability to butcher meat may have caused early humans to evolve smaller teeth and jaws than their chimpanzee relatives, who could easily gnaw on tough foods.
—Jack Knudson, Discover Magazine, 3 July 2025
For her part, Janney plays Macy with lots of warmth but also a gnawing sense of disappointment.
—Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 13 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for gnaw
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gnaw
Verb
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If trust in the institution erodes this will have a negative effect on public life more generally, calling into question the impartiality of the justice system.—
Kate Plummer,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Sep. 2025
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This also presents an opportunity for Europe to turn strongly towards renewables and develop more nuclear, wind, and water infrastructure in order to fully account for the gap which would further erode Russia’s relevance in that market.—
Earl Carr,
Forbes.com,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
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In late March, a 3-year-old Leavenworth boy known as EJ fell asleep for the night on a neighbor’s couch after eating grapes.—
Laura Bauer,
Kansas City Star,
7 Sep. 2025
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To support your prostate health, focus on eating healthy fats, fiber, antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals.—
Merve Ceylan,
Health,
7 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Gnaw.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gnaw. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
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