Synonyms of gnaw

gnaw

verb

ˈnȯ 

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• erode
• eat
• corrode
• bite (at)
• destroy
• nibble
• fret
• decompose
• disintegrate
• ruin
• dissolve
• wreck
• waste
• break down
• break up
• decimate
• devastate

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• restore
• renew
• revive
• refresh
• regenerate
• freshen
• revitalize
• recreate
• rejuvenate
• refreshen

Examples Sentences

Recent Examples of gnaw

The dog bit and gnawed on Bates’ scalp, the lawsuit alleges, and ignored Bates’ and Rezentes’ attempts to halt the attack. —Salvador Hernandez, Los Angeles Times, 20 Nov. 2024

When they are allowed to thrive in large populations, termites have an incredible capacity to gnaw through huge amounts of vegetation in no time. —Scott Travers, Forbes, 26 Sep. 2024

There are some more intense visuals here than others on this list, including someone vomiting bugs, a toothless old woman gnawing on a face, and, as the title suggests, a demon dragging people to hell. —Dustin Nelson, Vulture, 25 Oct. 2024

Outfielders are the most frequent chompers, but even players in the much-busier infield will sometimes spit out a shell in the middle of the action, or gnaw on a toothpick. —Kaitlyn Tiffany, The Atlantic, 29 Oct. 2024

Phrases Containing gnaw

• gnaw (on)