as in to erode
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 gnaw
For many, this blatant act of disrespect represents the latest failure by city officials to keep downtown from further deterioration, and underscores a gnawing feeling that the heart of Los Angeles has fallen by the wayside.
—
Grace Toohey, Los Angeles Times, 24 Apr. 2025
Two stacks of tostadas and a bag of rice were gnawed through and contaminated with mice droppings, according to the report.
—Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 28 Mar. 2025
To keep you on your toes, Max opens the film with a bang; following a trail of blood on what looks to be floor of a cave or crypt, the camera finds a frightening demonic creature gnawing away at a human body.
—Damon Wise, Deadline, 9 Mar. 2025
Perhaps that’s why people around the world have had the impulse to gnaw on tacky materials—roots, resins, twigs, blubber, tar made by burning birch bark—for at least 8,000 years.
—Hannah Seo, The Atlantic, 29 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for gnaw
Grace Toohey, Los Angeles Times, 24 Apr. 2025
Two stacks of tostadas and a bag of rice were gnawed through and contaminated with mice droppings, according to the report.
—Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 28 Mar. 2025
To keep you on your toes, Max opens the film with a bang; following a trail of blood on what looks to be floor of a cave or crypt, the camera finds a frightening demonic creature gnawing away at a human body.
—Damon Wise, Deadline, 9 Mar. 2025
Perhaps that’s why people around the world have had the impulse to gnaw on tacky materials—roots, resins, twigs, blubber, tar made by burning birch bark—for at least 8,000 years.
—Hannah Seo, The Atlantic, 29 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for gnaw
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gnaw
Verb
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These changes threaten to erode biodiversity and make survival even harder for freshwater and land turtle populations.—
Dianne Plummer,
Forbes.com,
23 May 2025
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Apple might be able to strike a deal with the administration — despite the eroding relationship — or challenge the tariffs in court.—
Kif Leswing,
CNBC,
23 May 2025
Verb
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The successful hatchings come about a year after Scout ate two of his chicks as a first-time dad, leaving the pair with no surviving eaglets from their first nesting season, McClatchy News previously reported.—
Olivia Lloyd,
Miami Herald,
24 Mar. 2025
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The calls came while eating lunch, while lying in bed at night.—
Max Klaver,
Miami Herald,
24 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Gnaw.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gnaw. Accessed 3 Jun. 2025.
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