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

When the seat cushion was totally gone, the polar bear moved on to the handlebars, gnawing on them like a dog working a bone.

From Literature

For anyone in Caroline's situation, simply seeing a parent with a pram can be painful, the source of a gnawing envy.

From BBC

A parade worker quickly pulled down the sign, but the statement made its mark, cutting through conversations about recovery and progress with the gnawing questions that continue to haunt so many Eaton fire survivors:

From Los Angeles Times

She stopped, gnawing on her lip, and after a long pause, inched a few steps away from him.

From Literature

“Well, it is the truth,” Liz says, gnawing on a cuticle.

From Literature