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
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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
-
According to Science, this implies that a paste was deliberately applied, rather than the staining being a byproduct of chewing betel nuts for a euphoric high.—
Maria Mocerino,
Interesting Engineering,
14 Feb. 2026
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Nobody gave teeth the update that modern jaws are chewing less on wild game and more on applesauce, especially in their youth.—
Sara Kiley Watson,
Popular Science,
4 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
This has caused widespread confusion for voters and staff alike, disrupting service delivery and eroding the relationship between constituents and their representatives.—
Rachel Royster,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
14 Feb. 2026
-
The continent’s eroding religious traditions and cultural loyalties, and its surging population of Muslim migrants, are a constant and gloomy obsession in Dreher’s posts.—
Robert F. Worth,
The Atlantic,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
That process involves collecting acorns and then pecking small holes in trees where they are stored for winter use.—
Ernie Cowan,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
1 Feb. 2026
-
The canine doesn't react in fear; the pup leans farther over the edge of the boat to get a closer look at the sizable creatures, almost pecking the whales on their massive mouths.—
Kelli Bender,
PEOPLE,
19 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Hunters and birdwatchers are advised to wear gloves when handling birds or feeders, to wash hands thoroughly after any contact, and to not eating birds that appear sick or birds that are found dead.—
Bryan Hendricks,
Arkansas Online,
15 Feb. 2026
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It was directed by that Michael Bay, and in it, an Alexander Hamilton super-fan is eating a peanut butter sandwich when his phone rings.—
Patt Morrison,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Nibbling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nibbling. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.
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