as in to nibble (on)
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Recent Examples of Synonyms for gnaw (at or on)
Verb
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Citrus seeds contain compounds called cyanogenic glycosides, which can release trace amounts of hydrogen cyanide, a naturally occurring chemical that, in larger amounts, can interfere with how the body uses oxygen, when seeds are thoroughly chewed or crushed.—
Stacey Lastoe,
Southern Living,
30 Jan. 2026 -
Some may be more liquid, while others really require chewing.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
26 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Mitch West, meanwhile, was licking his wounds on Monday night, when snow still hadn’t touched down in his region of South Carolina.—
Brady Brickner-Wood,
New Yorker,
28 Jan. 2026
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England’s Test team are still licking their wounds after their humbling Down Under.—
Sam Dalling,
New York Times,
23 Jan. 2026
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“Gnaw (at or on).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gnaw%20%28at%20or%20on%29. Accessed 31 Jan. 2026.
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