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gnaw
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- pronunciation:
- naw
- parts of speech:
- transitive verb, intransitive verb
- features:
- Word Combinations (verb), Word Explorer
| part of speech: |
transitive verb |
| inflections: |
gnaws, gnawing, gnawed |
| definition 1: |
to bite or chew repeatedly on.
a dog gnawing a bone
- synonyms:
- chew
- similar words:
- bite, champ, eat, masticate, munch, nibble, ruminate
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| definition 2: |
to make or shape by gnawing.
The mouse gnawed a hole in the cupboard.- synonyms:
- chew, eat
- similar words:
- corrode, nibble, wear
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| definition 3: |
to wear away gradually, as if by gnawing.
The fierce sea gnaws the shore.- synonyms:
- corrode, erode, fret
- similar words:
- devour, eat, wear
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| definition 4: |
to annoy, afflict, or trouble, esp. over a period of time.
Anxiety gnaws him day and night.- synonyms:
- afflict, annoy, torment, trouble
- similar words:
- distress, eat, exasperate, irk, irritate, nettle, rankle, vex, worry
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| related words: |
chew, crunch, fret, scour |
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| part of speech: |
intransitive verb |
| definition 1: |
to bite or chew repeatedly.
- synonyms:
- chew
- similar words:
- champ, masticate, munch, nibble
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| definition 2: |
to cause a gradual wearing away, as if by gnawing.
- synonyms:
- eat
- similar words:
- fret
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| related words: |
ache, gnash |
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| derivation: |
gnawable (adj.) |
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