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.

As he wrote, “the body of the charter has been unfortunately gnawn by rats” — a comment that carries grim symbolism today, as we take up the task the rats left unfinished.

From Salon • Jul. 23, 2012

Thy pleasant gardens which were round about thee; ... the ravenous wolf hath gnawn at the roots, and the trees can yield thee no fruit.

From The Moors in Spain by Lane-Poole, Stanley

The bones of the cutlets were decorated with pink frills- and yesterday he had gnawn ham from the bone!

From Jacob's Room by Woolf, Virginia

Notandum, A rat had gnawn my spur-leathers; notwithstanding, I put on new, and did go forth: but first I threw three beans over the threshold.

From Volpone; Or, the Fox by Jonson, Ben

On the east side a strange section of gray lava and ash is gnawn into caves. 

From At Last by Kingsley, Charles