gnawing

American  

[naw-ing] / ˈnɔ ɪŋ /

noun

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

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

   the gnawings of hunger.

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Other Word Forms

• gnawingly adverb

Etymology

Origin of gnawing

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

Example Sentences

Since our grief is less of a ready-made commodity lately, we can reorient it around ourselves, a little safer and more sovereign from the gnawing public gaze.

From Los Angeles Times

Instead I felt a gnawing sense of guilt.

From Literature

Deer flies and mosquitoes came and started gnawing on me.

From Literature

Nothing prepared me for the gnawing unease of pivoting from saving to spending.

From The Wall Street Journal

And the thought that fills me with a gnawing sense of hope: is Mom serious about taking a trip, just the two of us?

From Literature