1. past tense of gnaw; to bite or chew on something persistently, especially with the teeth
2. past tense of gnaw; to cause persistent worry, anxiety, or distress
Usage: figurative

Examples

• The dog gnawed on the bone for hours.
• Mice had gnawed through the electrical wires.
• She gnawed her fingernails when nervous.
• The beaver gnawed down the small tree.
• Guilt gnawed at his conscience all night.
• The constant noise gnawed at her patience.
• Termites had gnawed holes in the wooden beams.