| English Dictionary |
GNAW AT
| Pronunciation (US): |  | (GB): | |
| IPA (US): |  |
Dictionary entry overview: What does gnaw at mean?
• GNAW AT (verb)
The verb GNAW AT has 1 sense:
1. become ground down or deteriorate
Familiarity information: GNAW AT used as a verb is very rare.
Dictionary entry details
Sense 1
Meaning:
Become ground down or deteriorate
Classified under:
Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.
Synonyms:
eat at; erode; gnaw; gnaw at; wear away
Context example:
Her confidence eroded
Hypernyms (to "gnaw at" is one way to...):
crumble; decay; dilapidate (fall into decay or ruin)
Sentence frame:
Something ----s
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"If you reach for the highest of ideals, you shouldn't settle for less than the stars" (Arabic proverb)
"A horse aged thirty: don't add any more years." (Corsican proverb)