as in eroding
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 gnawing
Pastor John Mark Comer has won a massive audience by encouraging his followers to free themselves from the gnawing sense that there is always more to do, Nancy Walecki writes.
—
David A. Graham, The Atlantic, 27 Apr. 2026
Voles are likely to blame when previously-healthy plantings topple over for no apparent reason or when a tree is girdled around its base from gnawing.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 19 Apr. 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
Logan Kilgore, in Aplin’s mind, was gnawing on a bad idea.
—Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 6 Mar. 2026
But on Monday, there was only that pit-of-your-stomach gnawing concoction of disappointment, frustration and emptiness that foments when a chance for history is squandered.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 20 Jan. 2026
Leave the top open rather than filling it with leaves, which could create an inviting home for bark-gnawing rodents.
—Luke Miller, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 Jan. 2026
Sybil bears a tremendous burden and gnawing guilt.
—Shruti Mutalik, Baltimore Sun, 7 Jan. 2026
David A. Graham, The Atlantic, 27 Apr. 2026
Voles are likely to blame when previously-healthy plantings topple over for no apparent reason or when a tree is girdled around its base from gnawing.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 19 Apr. 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
Logan Kilgore, in Aplin’s mind, was gnawing on a bad idea.
—Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 6 Mar. 2026
But on Monday, there was only that pit-of-your-stomach gnawing concoction of disappointment, frustration and emptiness that foments when a chance for history is squandered.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 20 Jan. 2026
Leave the top open rather than filling it with leaves, which could create an inviting home for bark-gnawing rodents.
—Luke Miller, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 Jan. 2026
Sybil bears a tremendous burden and gnawing guilt.
—Shruti Mutalik, Baltimore Sun, 7 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gnawing
Verb
-
Mammoth bluffs followed by last-minute retreats only deepened perceptions of inconsistency, further eroding deterrence.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
25 Apr. 2026
-
European carmakers lose premium brand status in China European carmakers are losing their premium brand status in China, as younger consumers opt for cars from domestic brands, further eroding Western firms’ prospects in a cutthroat global market.—
Semafor Events,
semafor.com,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The shots rang out from the back of the ballroom as attendees were eating their first course, several minutes after White House Correspondents’ Association President Weija Jiang delivered remarks.—
Kevin Breuninger,
CNBC,
26 Apr. 2026
-
But doubters who scoffed back then may be eating their words now.—
Jeff Vorva,
Chicago Tribune,
25 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Gnawing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gnawing. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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