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
Advertisement Though narrow in scope, the report aims to shed light on gnawing questions that have dominated public discourse, including whether major intelligence failures preceded the riot and whether anyone in the crowd was for some reason acting at the behest of the FBI.
—
Eric Tucker and Alanna Durkin Richer, Los Angeles Times, 12 Dec. 2024
Listen to this article State inspectors shut five Broward County restaurants and one Palm Beach County food truck last week, with issues ranging from roaches and rodents (droppings found on containers of flour, gnaw marks on sugar packets and rub marks on walls) to a lack of potable running water.
—Kari Barnett, Sun Sentinel, 24 Jan. 2025
Still, there’s great friction in this story line, because Bridger and Young’s dialogue is simultaneously so florid and pointed, and because the actors playing the Mormon baddies really gnaw on their villainy.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 9 Jan. 2025
And a lot can happen the longer Congress gnaws on issues.
—Alexis Simendinger, The Hill, 17 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for gnaw
Eric Tucker and Alanna Durkin Richer, Los Angeles Times, 12 Dec. 2024
Listen to this article State inspectors shut five Broward County restaurants and one Palm Beach County food truck last week, with issues ranging from roaches and rodents (droppings found on containers of flour, gnaw marks on sugar packets and rub marks on walls) to a lack of potable running water.
—Kari Barnett, Sun Sentinel, 24 Jan. 2025
Still, there’s great friction in this story line, because Bridger and Young’s dialogue is simultaneously so florid and pointed, and because the actors playing the Mormon baddies really gnaw on their villainy.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 9 Jan. 2025
And a lot can happen the longer Congress gnaws on issues.
—Alexis Simendinger, The Hill, 17 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for gnaw
Articles Related to gnaw
Cite this Entry
“Gnaw.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gnaw. Accessed 4 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share