gnawed; gnawing; gnaws
1
a
: to bite or chew on with the teeth
especially
: to wear away by persistent biting or nibbling
a dog gnawing a bone
b
: to make by gnawing
rats gnawed a hole
2
a
: to be a source of vexation to : plague
anxiety always gnawing him
b
: to affect like gnawing
hunger gnawing her vitals
1
: to bite or nibble persistently
gnawing at his underlip
2
: to produce an effect of or as if of gnawing
waves gnawing away at the cliffs
Examples of gnaw in a Sentence
The dog was gnawing a bone.
He nervously gnawed on his fingernails.
Rabbits have gnawed at the hedge.
Rabbits had gnawed a hole in the hedge.
Recent Examples on the Web
Despite receiving multiple reports this spring about a family with an absent mother and gnawing hunger, DCFS never opened a case, The Times’ Rebecca Ellis reports.
—
Ryan Fonseca, Los Angeles Times, 2 Dec. 2024
For example, a baby teether can help soothe a fussy baby and still be fun for little ones to gnaw on.
—Maya Polton, Parents, 20 July 2024
Tyson, the 58-year-old heavyweight legend who retired nearly two decades ago, hobbled around the ring and gnawed his glove anxiously, only occasionally returning fire.
—Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 20 Nov. 2024
In the marketplace, there’s an impressive array of plush toys with baguettes, French fries and hot dogs for your pets to gnaw on to their heart’s content.
—Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 4 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for gnaw 
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Ryan Fonseca, Los Angeles Times, 2 Dec. 2024
For example, a baby teether can help soothe a fussy baby and still be fun for little ones to gnaw on.
—Maya Polton, Parents, 20 July 2024
Tyson, the 58-year-old heavyweight legend who retired nearly two decades ago, hobbled around the ring and gnawed his glove anxiously, only occasionally returning fire.
—Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 20 Nov. 2024
In the marketplace, there’s an impressive array of plush toys with baguettes, French fries and hot dogs for your pets to gnaw on to their heart’s content.
—Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 4 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for gnaw
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Dictionary Entries Near gnaw
Cite this Entry
“Gnaw.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gnaw. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.
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