as in eroding
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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Recent Examples of gnawing
Pastor John Mark Comer has won a massive audience by encouraging his followers to free themselves from the gnawing sense that there is always more to do, Nancy Walecki writes.
—
David A. Graham, The Atlantic, 27 Apr. 2026
Voles are likely to blame when previously-healthy plantings topple over for no apparent reason or when a tree is girdled around its base from gnawing.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 19 Apr. 2026
Things are kept mostly under wraps in this trailer, which spotlights the family vibe and the gnawing concern that something isn’t right, alongside jarring footage of a suburban street torn asunder.
—William Earl, Variety, 26 Mar. 2026
To distract you from gnawing your nails in anticipation, here are two books to add to your pile.
—Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 11 Mar. 2026
Logan Kilgore, in Aplin’s mind, was gnawing on a bad idea.
—Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 6 Mar. 2026
But on Monday, there was only that pit-of-your-stomach gnawing concoction of disappointment, frustration and emptiness that foments when a chance for history is squandered.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 20 Jan. 2026
Leave the top open rather than filling it with leaves, which could create an inviting home for bark-gnawing rodents.
—Luke Miller, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 Jan. 2026
Sybil bears a tremendous burden and gnawing guilt.
—Shruti Mutalik, Baltimore Sun, 7 Jan. 2026
David A. Graham, The Atlantic, 27 Apr. 2026
Voles are likely to blame when previously-healthy plantings topple over for no apparent reason or when a tree is girdled around its base from gnawing.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 19 Apr. 2026
Things are kept mostly under wraps in this trailer, which spotlights the family vibe and the gnawing concern that something isn’t right, alongside jarring footage of a suburban street torn asunder.
—William Earl, Variety, 26 Mar. 2026
To distract you from gnawing your nails in anticipation, here are two books to add to your pile.
—Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 11 Mar. 2026
Logan Kilgore, in Aplin’s mind, was gnawing on a bad idea.
—Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 6 Mar. 2026
But on Monday, there was only that pit-of-your-stomach gnawing concoction of disappointment, frustration and emptiness that foments when a chance for history is squandered.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 20 Jan. 2026
Leave the top open rather than filling it with leaves, which could create an inviting home for bark-gnawing rodents.
—Luke Miller, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 Jan. 2026
Sybil bears a tremendous burden and gnawing guilt.
—Shruti Mutalik, Baltimore Sun, 7 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gnawing
Verb
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Sometimes, both groups split the cost of major repairs, like recent upgrades to the eroding south porch.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
8 May 2026
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The move has raised concerns about eroding the freedom of navigation on which global trade depends.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
8 May 2026
Verb
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The only other people in the restaurant were two of Magyar’s aides and Miklós, his son, who sat at a nearby table eating burrata.—
Andrew Marantz,
New Yorker,
9 May 2026
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Some health experts note, however, that these forms may provide less fiber and fewer benefits than eating the whole vegetable.—
Teresa Mull,
FOXNews.com,
9 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Gnawing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gnawing. Accessed 11 May. 2026.
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