Synonyms of gnawing

gnawing

verb

present participle of gnaw

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• eroding
• eating
• nibbling
• corroding
• biting (at)
• destroying
• fretting
• decomposing
• disintegrating
• dissolving
• wrecking
• ruining
• wasting
• devastating
• breaking down
• breaking up
• decimating

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• restoring
• reviving
• renewing
• regenerating
• recreating
• revitalizing
• freshening
• rejuvenating
• refreshing
• refreshening

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of gnawing

The writer’s mind frame means a part of you is always gnawing on a story. — Literary Hub, 11 Sep. 2026

With an energy akin to Burning Man, the vibe is distinctly hippie; guests are gnawing to get into heady discussions. — Uma Raja, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Sep. 2026

Beavers wouldn’t tackle a tree that large, and gnawing marks would be up that high. — Joan Morris, Mercury News, 31 Aug. 2026

Their feeding can cause plants to wilt or die, and gnawing around the base of woody plants can be particularly damaging. — Jessica Safavimehr, Southern Living, 5 Aug. 2026

The openness was in stark contrast to the defensive, tactical precision and gnawing tension that make the matches surrounding this one so captivating, but which can stifle some of sport’s beauty and brilliance. — Sergio Gonzalez, New York Times, 19 July 2026

Chewing involves biting or gnawing without necessarily swallowing. — Ryan Brennan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 July 2026

This, along with lunch, is the gnawing concern at the back of the critic’s mind. — Dan Piepenbring, Harpers Magazine, 30 June 2026

All of which raises one gnawing little question. — Kyle Wagner, New York Daily News, 11 June 2026