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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.

Mamdani first proposed raising property taxes by 9.5% in February in what he called a “last-resort” measure to chip away at the city’s estimated $12 billion budget gap.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 12, 2026

This means you won’t receive as large a refund during tax season, but having consistently higher paychecks can help you chip away at that $30,000.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 11, 2026

Syfovre sales alone dropped 8% from same period last year as a competing treatment from drugmaker Astellas continued to chip away at its market share.

From Barron's • Mar. 31, 2026

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

From BBC • Mar. 2, 2026

Dumbledore had passed the job of destroying them to him, and obediently he had continued to chip away at the bonds tying not only Voldemort, but himself, to life!

From "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" by J.K. Rowling

chip away at

Example Sentences

Related Words