Definitions

gnaw

[naw] / nɔ /

VERB

bite, chew

Synonyms

STRONGEST

chomp eat nibble

STRONG

champ chaw consume corrode crunch devour erode gum masticate munch wear

WEAK

eat away

Antonyms

STRONG

build construct rebuild

VERB

be bothered, worried about

Synonyms

STRONGEST

annoy bedevil haunt irritate nag

STRONG

distress fret harass harry pester plague rankle tease trouble

WEAK

beleague eat at prey on one's mind wear down

Antonyms

STRONGEST

aid assuage make happy please soothe

STRONG

assist calm comfort delight help support

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

And the thought that fills me with a gnawing sense of hope: is Mom serious about taking a trip, just the two of us?

From Literature

Evidence includes a hominin femur marked by clear signs of gnawing.

From Science Daily

And the bars on the side of his crib were made of wood; he gnawed on them while they thought he was sleeping.

From Literature

Artificial intelligence could be the boogeyman that gnaws at market share.

From Barron's