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
Relevance
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 gnaw
If for some reason a coral snake does gnaw on you, its venom can cause paralysis.
—
Nicole Villalpando, Austin American Statesman, 30 Mar. 2026
Things are kept mostly under wraps in this trailer, which spotlights the family vibe and the gnawing concern that something isn’t right, alongside jarring footage of a suburban street torn asunder.
—William Earl, Variety, 26 Mar. 2026
To distract you from gnawing your nails in anticipation, here are two books to add to your pile.
—Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 11 Mar. 2026
The misery of last year appeared to gnaw away at Hamilton’s enjoyment of the sport.
—Luke Smith, New York Times, 10 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for gnaw
Nicole Villalpando, Austin American Statesman, 30 Mar. 2026
Things are kept mostly under wraps in this trailer, which spotlights the family vibe and the gnawing concern that something isn’t right, alongside jarring footage of a suburban street torn asunder.
—William Earl, Variety, 26 Mar. 2026
To distract you from gnawing your nails in anticipation, here are two books to add to your pile.
—Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 11 Mar. 2026
The misery of last year appeared to gnaw away at Hamilton’s enjoyment of the sport.
—Luke Smith, New York Times, 10 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for gnaw
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gnaw
Verb
-
But the premium that justifies the valuation is eroding fastest in exactly the segments the labs need to dominate.—
Deirdre Bosa,Jasmine Wu,
CNBC,
20 May 2026
-
But as deal complexity increases, speed without depth erodes trust.—
Thasha Batts,
Forbes.com,
20 May 2026
Verb
-
Everyone is eating tostadas and trying dishes off the menu that changes every week, showcasing Giuseppe Lacorazza's market-focused, simple soulful cooking.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
16 May 2026
-
Misael eating meat alone, cutting up pieces with an enormous knife while barely lit by the flames in front of him, and, sporadically, almost-silent lightning bursts in the distant background.—
Vadim Rizov,
IndieWire,
16 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Gnaw.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gnaw. Accessed 22 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
