gnawing

[naw-ing]

noun

1. the act of a person or thing that gnaws.

2. Usually gnawings. persistent, dull pains; pangs.

   the gnawings of hunger.

Other Word Forms

• gnawingly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of gnawing¹

Middle English word dating back to 1300–50; gnaw, -ing ¹

Example Sentences

The creature is gnawing on some parmesan crust with its eyes squeezed shut, like eating the scraps is an experience to be savored with everything it has.

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It focused her mind wonderfully, and she began to understand why Beowulf found gnawing on hard objects so appealing.

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Beowulf had given up building towers and was now gnawing on the blocks.

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“At least my parents had the sense to leave me in the care of a well-regarded educational institution,” Penelope told herself as she pictured her three pupils, barking and gnawing and baying at the moon.

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AI could be one, as well: The very thing powering the stock market to records might be gnawing away at Americans’ sense of well being.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal