gnash

[nash]

verb (used with object)

1. to grind or strike (the teeth) together, especially in rage or pain.

2. to bite with grinding teeth.

verb (used without object)

1. to gnash the teeth.

noun

1. an act of gnashing.

gnash

/ næʃ /

verb

1. to grind (the teeth) together, as in pain or anger

2. (tr) to bite or chew as by grinding the teeth

noun

1. the act of gnashing the teeth

Other Word Forms

• gnashingly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of gnash¹

1490–1500; variant of obsolete gnast, Middle English gnasten; compare Old Norse gnastan gnashing of teeth

Word History and Origins

Origin of gnash¹

C15: probably of Scandinavian origin; compare Old Norse gnastan gnashing of teeth, gnesta to clatter

Example Sentences

The baroness gnashed her teeth as if she planned to bite someone, but the ovation grew until she had no choice but to step down and return to her seat at the trustees’ table.

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There was a terrible gnashing noise, and then each of the propellers ground to a halt.

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The veritable pity party gnashes its teeth more and more as the months pass.

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They’ve gnashed their teeth this year even at budget proposals that would only modestly slow spending.

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The first felt too cold and couldn’t hack how to modernize Morfydd Clark’s Ophelia; the second started strong but got soggy with its repetitive weeping and gnashing.

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