gnawing

American

[naw-ing] / ˈnɔ ɪŋ /

noun

the act of a person or thing that gnaws.
Usually gnawings. persistent, dull pains; pangs.

the gnawings of hunger.

Other Word Forms

gnawingly

adverb

Etymology

Origin of gnawing

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

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

gnawing

Then comes the second wave: a low, gnawing horror at what you might have done.

From BBC ● Oct. 6, 2026

He’s more comfortable in his Bed-Stuy apartment than at the Sunset Tower, exposed brick now behind him, his dog Wednesday nearby gnawing at her paw.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 7, 2026

You slice it the wrong way and, instead of a tender, juicy bite, you’re left gnawing on something that tastes like a rubber band.

From Salon ● May 22, 2026

Citrus greening disease is caused by a bacterial infection that is delivered by the gnawing of the Asian citrus psyllid.

From Slate ● Apr. 20, 2026

But it was made of heavy wire with a tough plastic coating, and though he kept gnawing for half an hour, it was too much for his teeth.

From "Z for Zachariah" by Robert C. O’Brien

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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023