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
  • When any of these organisms die, tiny microbes start chewing them up.
    — Denise Hruby, Miami Herald, 31 July 2026
  • The crust achieves that perfect balance of char and chew, and the toppings are minimal but impeccable.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 July 2026
Definition of chew
Verb
  • That means no tasting cookie dough made with raw eggs, no licking brownie batter off the beaters, and no homemade Caesar dressing made with uncooked yolks.
    — Angela Haupt, Time, 23 July 2026
  • The best restaurant sauces can tempt even the most prim and proper of us to lift up our plates and lick them clean.
    — Rochelle Bilow, Bon Appetit Magazine, 22 July 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 2 Aug. 2026.

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