gnaw
verb (used with object)
to bite or chew on, especially persistently.
had been gnawing
-
past perfect progressiveof gnaw.past perfect progressive
Used to describe an action that was ongoing continuously in the past up until another past event interrupted it.
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.
Recently, I saw Denis in the mess hall and asked him one last question that had been gnawing at the back of my mind.
From Slate ● May 19, 2025
The injury had been gnawing away at her for years and the end of another Olympic cycle finally provided the chance to fix it.
From BBC ● Feb. 9, 2022
Which is exactly what had been gnawing at USC Coach Andy Enfield for weeks, until he let his frustrations be known at the Pac-12 tournament last week.
From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 14, 2017
It was life-changing: we fulfilled ambitions that had been gnawing away at us for years.
From The Guardian ● Mar. 18, 2013
Judging from the piles of soggy, chewed-up scraps that littered the steps, the boys had been gnawing their way through each one.
From "The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place: Book I: The Mysterious Howling" by Maryrose Wood
