gnaw
verb (used with object)
to bite or chew on, especially persistently.
were gnawing
-
past progressiveof gnaw.past progressive
Used to describe an ongoing action or continuous state that was happening at a specific time in the past.
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.
It left little time for Brad to tend to the inner demons that were gnawing away at him.
From Seattle Times ● Jun. 22, 2022
But alongside her seemingly frictionless ascent were gnawing refrains.
From New York Times ● Jan. 3, 2012
The tigers were gnawing at blood-flavored ice pops.
From New York Times ● Jul. 22, 2011
To jobless Spit, back on the real waterfront, the plaudits and salary of the stage were gnawing memories.
From Time Magazine Archive
People were gnawing on their fingers and tapping their feet and wriggling around and generally getting ulcers, wondering if Mr. Birkway was going to read from the journals.
From "Walk Two Moons" by Sharon Creech
