as in to nibble (on)
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Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gnaw (at or on)
Verb
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For small animals such as gerbils or chinchillas, co-sleeping isn’t safe due to their size, potty habits, and tendency to chew.—
Maria Azzurra Volpe,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Sep. 2025 -
Spotted lanternflies are notorious invasive pests that have chewed through much of the eastern United States since 2014.—
Sophie Hartley,
IndyStar,
24 Sep. 2025
Verb
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During a bedtime conversation between Kaz and Caesar, for example, their dog keeps licking Caesar as Kaz tries to have a serious talk with him.—
Jim Hemphill,
IndieWire,
25 Sep. 2025
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Posted to the account @maisythemarshmallow on September 19, the video shows the dog, named Maisy, lying calmly as the cat snuggles up and licks her face.—
Melissa Fleur Afshar,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Sep. 2025
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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 29 Sep. 2025.
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