Synonyms for

Chewing

Verb / ˈtʃu:ɪŋ / Another word for chewing — explore alternatives below. For syllable breakdowns and pronunciation, see this word on Syllablesworld.

Definition

The act of biting and grinding food in the mouth, often audibly.

Synonyms & similar words

jaw mastication chew masticate manducate manduction munching gnawing nibbling champing crunching chomping chawing biting masticating eating devouring ingesting consuming swallowing scrunching churning grinding jawing yapping

Synonyms by register

Formal

masticating processing

Informal

munching chomping gnawing

Literary

grinding working

Antonyms

stopping refraining abstaining halting ceasing discontinuing

Common collocations

  • chewing gum
  • chewing on
  • chewing slowly
  • chewing thoughtfully
  • chewing food
  • chewing tobacco
  • chewing cud

Word family

noun chewing
verb chew
adjective chewy

Usage note

Primarily refers to the act of breaking down food with the teeth. Can also be used figuratively for deep thought, as in 'chewing over an idea'.

Example sentences

  1. I am chewing my food carefully so I don't choke.
  2. The cow was chewing its cud.
  3. He was chewing gum loudly during class.
  4. The dog was caught chewing on the couch.
  5. I have been chewing over the problem for hours.

Quotes

  • "I'm like a shark. I have to keep moving. I'm like a shark that's constantly being fed. Not fattening food, but I'm constantly chewing and moving." - Richard Belzer
  • "When you're chewing on life's gristle, don't grumble, give a whistle!" - Monty Python
  • "The only way to get rid of temptation is to yield to it. Resist it, and your soul grows sick with longing for the things it has forbidden to itself, with desire for what its monstrous laws have made monstrous and unlawful." - Oscar Wilde

Try these popular words

the and that for you with was this are have not from

Practice

Play the Word Synonyms game · Choose level (start near 1)

Worksheets

Grade 4 · Grade 5 · Grade 6

Topics

Guides

Explore more words