chip away at

VERB

try

Synonyms

STRONGEST

attack seek struggle work

STRONG

aim aspire compete contend contest endeavor essay labor propose risk speculate strive tackle undertake venture wrangle

WEAK

bear down do one's best drive for exert oneself go after go all out go for have a crack have a go have a shot have a stab have a whack knock oneself out lift a finger make a bid make a pass at make an attempt make an effort put oneself out shoot for vie for

Antonyms

STRONGEST

idle laze rest surrender

STRONG

abstain agree be idle forget give in give up ignore neglect

WEAK

delight please

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.

Firefighters were eventually forced to melt it down after fans attempted to thaw the sculpture with blowtorches and chip away at it with sledgehammers.

From BBC • May 15, 2026

But what if bad things started to chip away at their retirement savings just as they were starting?

From MarketWatch • Apr. 30, 2026

They might need to raise prices to offset their higher costs, even though that could chip away at their main competitive advantage.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 1, 2026

Noah's prediction: Arsenal just chip away at teams, don't they?

From BBC • Mar. 2, 2026

Returning to his chair, he watched in fascination as the gleaming, diamondlike claws continued to chip away at the shell.

From "Jeremy Thatcher, Dragon Hatcher" by Bruce Coville

chip away at

Example Sentences

Related Words