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
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
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
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gnawing
Verb
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Like Season 1’s Ronald Gladden, Anthony Norman proves there really are a few lovely gems still sprinkled among our ever-eroding society.—
Aramide Tinubu,
Variety,
19 Mar. 2026
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Heidi was pioneering how reality TV could turn old news into melodrama, eroding any distance between entertainment and fact.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
18 Mar. 2026
Verb
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For many years, the Rushes had an annual tradition of eating at Wintzell's Oyster House before riding in the local Mardi Gras parade.—
SYDNEY PAGE THE WASHINGTON POST,
Arkansas Online,
22 Mar. 2026
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That’s one reason many people feel lighter when eating yogurt mid-morning, at lunch, or as part of a daytime meal, rather than late at night.—
Jahnavi Rapaka,
Vogue,
21 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Gnawing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gnawing. Accessed 22 Mar. 2026.
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