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
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Recent Examples of nibbling
Our fellow guests were all seated at garden tables, nibbling sandwiches cut into little triangles and sipping from fancy teacups.
—
Flora Stubbs, Travel + Leisure, 7 Feb. 2026
This is an inexpensive and simple way to deter nibbling animals.
—Peg Aloi, The Spruce, 5 Feb. 2026
The water is brackish and refreshingly cold, with darting fish nibbling at dangling feet.
—Anna Zacharias, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Jan. 2026
Most of them spend a decent chunk of time nibbling on beetles, moths, mosquitoes, and the like.
—Popular Science Team, Popular Science, 3 Dec. 2025
Fabulous house, wonderful food, 30 companies trolling for dough, a raft of others nibbling and drinking.
—Neil Senturia, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Nov. 2025
To prevent injury, wrap tree bark in late fall and remove in early spring (this will also prevent rodent nibbling of the trunk).
—Luke Miller, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 Nov. 2025
Even shoppers nibbling on a slice of pizza seemed to be mocking him.
—Jeff Pearlman, Rolling Stone, 17 Oct. 2025
But now social media is eating media-media’s lunch, nibbling into time that used to be spent watching TV and movies, particularly for younger generations, and refashioning itself less as a network and more as a broadcaster.
—Julie Beck, The Atlantic, 16 Oct. 2025
Flora Stubbs, Travel + Leisure, 7 Feb. 2026
This is an inexpensive and simple way to deter nibbling animals.
—Peg Aloi, The Spruce, 5 Feb. 2026
The water is brackish and refreshingly cold, with darting fish nibbling at dangling feet.
—Anna Zacharias, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Jan. 2026
Most of them spend a decent chunk of time nibbling on beetles, moths, mosquitoes, and the like.
—Popular Science Team, Popular Science, 3 Dec. 2025
Fabulous house, wonderful food, 30 companies trolling for dough, a raft of others nibbling and drinking.
—Neil Senturia, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Nov. 2025
To prevent injury, wrap tree bark in late fall and remove in early spring (this will also prevent rodent nibbling of the trunk).
—Luke Miller, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 Nov. 2025
Even shoppers nibbling on a slice of pizza seemed to be mocking him.
—Jeff Pearlman, Rolling Stone, 17 Oct. 2025
But now social media is eating media-media’s lunch, nibbling into time that used to be spent watching TV and movies, particularly for younger generations, and refashioning itself less as a network and more as a broadcaster.
—Julie Beck, The Atlantic, 16 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nibbling
Verb
-
Recent videos depict him chewing a toy bear and another bloodhound, Lorace, gallivanting in new boots.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
5 Mar. 2026
-
Simply fold it over and start chewing.—
Ryan Brennan,
Kansas City Star,
4 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
State leaders seem to care more about the undocumented, DEI, Don’t Say Gay, redistricting, Hope Florida and school vouchers while our coastlines are eroding.—
Letters to the Editor,
The Orlando Sentinel,
7 Mar. 2026
-
Judge Salas told us vilifying judges is eroding trust in the courts.—
Heather Abbott,
CBS News,
2 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The lead stretched to 12 early in the third quarter, but slowly and painfully for Parker, the hosts, with Archer attacking the glass, kept pecking away.—
Don Norcross,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 Mar. 2026
-
Still, Lamb said lovebirds, like other parrots, can sometimes be violent with each other, screaming and pecking one another with beaks powerful enough to crack open seeds.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
In Queens, check out the art at MoMA PS1 or spend an afternoon eating your way through Astoria or Flushing, known for standout Greek and Chinese cuisine, respectively.—
Lauren Dana Ellman,
Travel + Leisure,
8 Mar. 2026
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Many studies suggest that eating breakfast earlier may help regulate blood sugar.—
Merve Ceylan,
Health,
8 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Nibbling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nibbling. Accessed 14 Mar. 2026.
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