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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.

That reading, in fact, could sharpen investor focus on the impacts of the war, particularly with respect to inflation concerns, and chip away at the early gains forecast for Wall Street.

From Barron's • May 5, 2026

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

From MarketWatch • Apr. 30, 2026

China is expected to go into the summit seeking to chip away at American support for the island.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 15, 2026

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

From BBC • Mar. 2, 2026

Why go through the motions of getting an education and watch the war slowly chip away at the one thing I had loved here, the peace, the measureless, careless peace of the Devon summer?

From "A Separate Peace" by John Knowles

chip away at

Example Sentences

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