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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.

Other Word Forms

  • gnawingly adverb

Etymology

Origin of gnawing

Middle English word dating back to 1300–50; 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.

Evidence includes a hominin femur marked by clear signs of gnawing.

From Science Daily • Feb. 7, 2026

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

From BBC • Jan. 15, 2026

AI could be one, as well: The very thing powering the stock market to records might be gnawing away at Americans’ sense of well being.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 18, 2025

The road not taken is gnawing at her soul.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 12, 2025

“Rats’ teeth continue to grow our entire lives, which necessitates gnawing to keep them at a manageable length.

From "Gregor the Overlander" by Suzanne Collins

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

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.