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
Picking up a drumstick and gnawing it clean, past the cartilage and down to the bone, was accepted without a second look.
—
Literary Hub, 20 Jan. 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
Their tough teeth also grow very quickly, and gnawing helps keep them sharp and filed down to a manageable length.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 12 Jan. 2026
Sybil bears a tremendous burden and gnawing guilt.
—Shruti Mutalik, Baltimore Sun, 7 Jan. 2026
From luxury produce selling for nearly $20 apiece to babies gnawing on rib-eye steaks, food and drink extremes in 2025 reflected American culture in unique ways.
—Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 2 Jan. 2026
Doubt tears away at us like rats gnawing away under the floorboards in the house of being.
—Christian Wiman, Harpers Magazine, 30 Dec. 2025
Guillermo del Toro has long told stories about the gnawing ache of being alive.
—Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 8 Dec. 2025
Literary Hub, 20 Jan. 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
Their tough teeth also grow very quickly, and gnawing helps keep them sharp and filed down to a manageable length.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 12 Jan. 2026
Sybil bears a tremendous burden and gnawing guilt.
—Shruti Mutalik, Baltimore Sun, 7 Jan. 2026
From luxury produce selling for nearly $20 apiece to babies gnawing on rib-eye steaks, food and drink extremes in 2025 reflected American culture in unique ways.
—Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 2 Jan. 2026
Doubt tears away at us like rats gnawing away under the floorboards in the house of being.
—Christian Wiman, Harpers Magazine, 30 Dec. 2025
Guillermo del Toro has long told stories about the gnawing ache of being alive.
—Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 8 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gnawing
Verb
-
The moral fiber of this country is eroding fast, based on lack of love for one another, divisions in this country, greed, and the partisan bickering from American political leaders.—
Letters to the Editor,
Hartford Courant,
20 Feb. 2026
-
Issues like new forms of energy, natural disasters, global warming — these forces are now eroding traditions and cultures that once continued almost effortlessly in Japan.—
Patrick Brzeski,
HollywoodReporter,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Meanwhile, a balanced diet (like the Mediterranean or DASH eating pattern) can reduce blood sugar swings that worsen irritability.—
Hannah Silverman,
Parents,
21 Feb. 2026
-
Meanwhile, eating fiber helps regulate blood sugar, cholesterol, and digestion, and supports feelings of fullness.—
Merve Ceylan,
Health,
21 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Gnawing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gnawing. Accessed 28 Feb. 2026.
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