as in hungry
feeling a desire or need for food
I think I'll have a snack before we go, as I'm feeling a bit peckish
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of peckish
Not peckish, not in need of a little boost—hungry, immediately and completely, hunger as urgent as any alarm clock.
—
Helen Rosner,
New Yorker,
3 May 2026
Protein, fats, and fiber are key to keeping you full, so a meal low on those vital nutrients could leave you feeling peckish before long.
—
Caroline Tien,
SELF,
1 Apr. 2026
Their appetite for postseason basketball now satisfied, the Knicks faithful have grown peckish for more.
—
Tom Kludt,
Vanity Fair,
17 Feb. 2026
Helen Rosner,
New Yorker,
3 May 2026
Protein, fats, and fiber are key to keeping you full, so a meal low on those vital nutrients could leave you feeling peckish before long.
—
Caroline Tien,
SELF,
1 Apr. 2026
Their appetite for postseason basketball now satisfied, the Knicks faithful have grown peckish for more.
—
Tom Kludt,
Vanity Fair,
17 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for peckish
hungry
Adjective
-
But Ecuador, which had only 1 point entering the match, was hungry for a big win.
-
All the young guys are really hungry.
Cite this Entry
“Peckish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/peckish. Accessed 2 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
