gnaw (at or on)

verb

Definition of gnaw (at or on)next
as in to nibble (on)

Related Words

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Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for gnaw (at or on)
  1. chew
  2. lick
Verb
  • If left untreated, gum disease can spread to the bones surrounding your gums, making chewing painful.
    — Julie Marks, Verywell Health, 5 Aug. 2026
  • As was often the case in college towns, the music scene and its cycling culture often chewed the same dirt.
    — Tom Campbell, New York Times, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of chew
Verb
  • Her entire face got licked clean off her head when suburban floodwaters breached the cardboard hull protecting Kath’s basement memorabilia stack a few months before I was born.
    — Claire Carusillo, Harpers Magazine, 4 Aug. 2026
  • There’s truly nothing like licking that paper lid, then shoveling that tiny tongue depressor into a child-sized serving of vanilla or chocolate ice cream.
    — Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 2 Aug. 2026
Definition of lick
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Browse Nearby Words

gnaw (at)
gnaw (at or on)
gnawed
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Cite this Entry

“Gnaw (at or on).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gnaw%20%28at%20or%20on%29. Accessed 10 Aug. 2026.

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