to bite or chew something repeatedly, often making a hole in it, to cause persistent discomfort or anxiety

gnaw away at, gnaw one's way through, gnaw at the roots

Formal and Informal Expressions of gnawed

In different contexts, you can replace 'gnawed' with suitable alternatives. In a more informal setting, 'chew on, eat away at' is apt.

gnawed: Explore its Definition & Usage

gnawed Definition

1to bite or chew something repeatedly, often making a hole in it
2to cause persistent discomfort or anxiety

Using gnawed: Examples

Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "gnawed" can be used in various situations through the following examples!

Example
The dog gnawed on the bone for hours.
Example
The worry gnawed at her mind all day.
Example
The termite gnawed through the wooden beam.

gnawed Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms for gnawed

Phrases with gnawed

gnaw away at
to erode or wear away gradually through persistent effort or attack
Example
The constant criticism from his boss was gnawing away at his confidence.
gnaw one's way through
to eat or chew through something with determination and persistence
Example
The caterpillar gnawed its way through the leaf.
gnaw at the roots
to undermine or weaken the foundation or basis of something
Example
The corruption scandal is gnawing at the roots of the government.

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Summary: gnawed in Brief

'Gnawed' [nɔːd] refers to biting or chewing something repeatedly, often causing damage or erosion. It can also mean causing persistent discomfort or anxiety, as in 'The worry gnawed at her mind all day.' The phrase 'gnaw away at' denotes gradual erosion or weakening, while 'gnaw one's way through' implies determined persistence. 'Gnawed' is often used informally, as in 'I can't stop chewing on this idea.'