26984 words

gnaw

4 definitions • 5 examples
1
to bite or chew something repeatedly, usually making a hole in it or gradually destroying it:

Examples:

Babies like to gnaw hard objects when they're teething.
gnaw on A dog lay under the table, gnawing on a bone.
2
to make you feel worried or uncomfortable:

Examples:

be gnawed by I've been gnawed by guilt about not replying to her letter yet.
gnaw at The feeling that I've forgotten something has been gnawing at me all day.
3
to bite or chew something repeatedly:

Examples:

[ I ] The cat began to gnaw at the towel beneath him.
4
to cause someone to feel continual anxiety or pain

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