1
as in snacking
to eat reluctantly and in small bites
having no real appetite at all, I just nibbled during the party
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in chewing
to crush or grind with the teeth
nibbling crackers
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in eroding
to consume or wear away gradually
discovered that inflation had steadily nibbled their savings
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of nibbling
Deer And Rabbit Damage Deer have a frustrating habit of nibbling the flowers off of hydrangeas.
—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
7 June 2026
To avoid your dog nibbling on dangerous plants altogether, take the following steps.
—
Amy Deyoung,
USA Today,
28 May 2026
Eight neighbors, including Pugliese, sit around the coffee table sipping wine and nibbling on cheese cubes and fish dip, a black cat named Aura circling their ankles.
—
Jessica Blough,
CNN Money,
22 May 2026
The brand management companies — which scoop up intellectual property and work with partners who make and distribute the goods — were already doing more than nibbling around the edges.
—
Evan Clark,
Footwear News,
20 May 2026
Growing clover in your yard can distract deer and rabbits from nibbling on other garden plants.
—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
16 May 2026
The parrot has since moved from Auteuil’s head to a perch on his shoulder, nibbling at his ear with complete proprietary confidence.
—
Scott Roxborough,
HollywoodReporter,
14 May 2026
Sip the famous Pseudo Sue IPA, or sample exploratory and seasonal beers while nibbling on pub favorites like cheese curds.
—
Sarah Miller,
Midwest Living,
29 Apr. 2026
And then there’s some outings where there’s too much nibbling with the cutter, with the sweeper, as opposed to staying on the attack.
—
Peter Sblendorio,
New York Daily News,
27 Apr. 2026
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
7 June 2026
To avoid your dog nibbling on dangerous plants altogether, take the following steps.
—
Amy Deyoung,
USA Today,
28 May 2026
Eight neighbors, including Pugliese, sit around the coffee table sipping wine and nibbling on cheese cubes and fish dip, a black cat named Aura circling their ankles.
—
Jessica Blough,
CNN Money,
22 May 2026
The brand management companies — which scoop up intellectual property and work with partners who make and distribute the goods — were already doing more than nibbling around the edges.
—
Evan Clark,
Footwear News,
20 May 2026
Growing clover in your yard can distract deer and rabbits from nibbling on other garden plants.
—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
16 May 2026
The parrot has since moved from Auteuil’s head to a perch on his shoulder, nibbling at his ear with complete proprietary confidence.
—
Scott Roxborough,
HollywoodReporter,
14 May 2026
Sip the famous Pseudo Sue IPA, or sample exploratory and seasonal beers while nibbling on pub favorites like cheese curds.
—
Sarah Miller,
Midwest Living,
29 Apr. 2026
And then there’s some outings where there’s too much nibbling with the cutter, with the sweeper, as opposed to staying on the attack.
—
Peter Sblendorio,
New York Daily News,
27 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nibbling
Verb
-
Eating Too Much or Too Late Eating a large dinner or snacking too close to bedtime can cause a rise in blood sugar that may last all night, especially if the snack is high in simple carbs.
Verb
-
Samples were sent to labs for analysis while everyone sat around chewing pencils and hoping things weren't about to go full Omega Man before the lab results came back.
-
Some people may also experience difficulty chewing or find food preparation more challenging.
Verb
-
But experts and users warn that technology risks eroding authenticity and chemistry at the heart of real-world relationships.
-
This trend, partly driven by workplace loneliness, risks eroding company culture and coworker cohesion.
Verb
-
There Are No Foolproof Methods No single technique will completely prevent birds from pecking on your fruits.
-
Nyjer thistle seeds are also very small, and many birds will love pecking them off the sides or roof of your edible birdhouse.
Verb
-
While oysters in space appear to be a newer research opportunity, Harrisburg states that humans have been eating these creatures for 100,000 years, based on archaeology findings.
-
Is low-carb or low-fat eating healthier for your heart?
Cite this Entry
“Nibbling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nibbling. Accessed 30 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
