GNAWS Synonyms: 27 Similar and Opposite Words

gnaws

verb

present tense third-person singular of gnaw

as in erodes

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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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 gnaws If an owner reacts strongly every time the cat gnaws on a cord, the cat may learn that chewing gets a response. — Ryan Brennan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 July 2026 Kelsey passes around a bowl of clam shells with questions written on them as Liz gnaws on a corn on the cob. — Tom Smyth, Vulture, 15 June 2026 The end of his tenure with the Cubs gnaws it him. — Ken Rosenthal, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025

Recent Examples of Synonyms for gnaws

Verb

Dench was first diagnosed in 2012 with macular degeneration, a retinal disease that erodes one’s central vision and is a leading cause of vision loss and blindness in people over 65.

— Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 22 Oct. 2026
Keep an eye on the number of dissenting votes, higher disagreement directly erodes the market's confidence in the Fed's decision.

— Justin Zacks, CNBC, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of erodes

Verb

Measuring how much a baby eats typically requires weighing them directly before and after a feeding, and that’s an imprecise and cumbersome process.

— Monique Brouillette, Time, 15 Oct. 2026
In the opening scene, an old man eats a pear, smiles, and expires under a fruit tree; a beautiful death.

— Sophie Pinkham, The New York Review of Books, 10 Oct. 2026

Definition of eats

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gnaw (on)

gnaws

gnaws (at)

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“Gnaws.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gnaws. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of gnaws

verb

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