gnaw
/nɔː/
verb
- To bite or chew on something repeatedly, especially with the front teeth.
- She could hear a mouse gnawing inside the wall at night.
- The puppy began to gnaw on the old shoe in the corner.
- Beavers gnaw through tree trunks to build their dams.
- To cause persistent pain, distress, or worry (often used figuratively).
- Guilt continued to gnaw at him long after the argument.
- The fear of failure gnawed at her confidence every day.
- A sense of regret gnawed in the back of his mind.
- To wear away or erode something gradually, as if by chewing.
- The river gnawed at the bank, slowly widening its channel.
- The constant wind and sand gnawed the ancient stone statues.
- Acid rain gnaws away at limestone buildings over time.
noun
- An act or sound of gnawing.
- We heard a soft gnaw coming from behind the refrigerator.
- He gave the bone a quick gnaw before tossing it aside.
- The constant gnaw of the rodent kept everyone awake.