as in to pick at
to subject (someone) to constant scoldings and sharp reminders
kept pecking at their prodigal daughter to get off the couch and to start looking for a job
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for peck (at)
Verb
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Allen has dogged controversy since having an affair with his partner Mia Farrow’s adopted daughter Soon-Yi Previn.—
Emily Zemler,
Rolling Stone,
13 Oct. 2025 -
The health care debate has dogged Congress ever since the Affordable Care Act became law under then-President Barak Obama in 2010.—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
13 Oct. 2025
Verb
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After nearly a decade of using the sign to needle the beer capital, Anheuser-Busch walked away from the ad and was replaced by Miller Brewing.—
Chris Foran,
jsonline.com,
24 Sep. 2025
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But Carr suggested a more technical approach to needle Trump’s media annoyances, saying in a Thursday episode of The Scott Jennings Podcast that the commission may review whether ABC’s The View should be subject to what’s known as the equal time rule.—
Miranda Jeyaretnam,
Time,
19 Sep. 2025
Verb
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All of which begs the question, can—and should—Europe use the once-in-a-generation opportunity presented by decarbonization to reboot its own renewables supply chain, creating green jobs and sustainable wealth for the future?—
Andrew Saunders,
Fortune,
15 Oct. 2025
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Ever since Long and Tate starred in Theodore Witcher’s debut, Love Jones, fans of the cult classic have been begging for a sequel.—
Mya Abraham,
VIBE.com,
15 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Roughly 500 celebrities and Hollywood artists signed the Artists4Ceasefire petition in 2023; dozens of industry A-listers signed an Artists4Ceasefire letter addressed to then-President Biden, urging the White House for an immediate de-escalation and ceasefire.—
Elizabeth Wagmeister,
CNN Money,
18 Oct. 2025
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What Happens Next The FDA has urged consumers to follow recall instructions and dispose of affected shrimp promptly.—
Hollie Silverman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The one nagging doubt about him is his durability.—
Sukhman Singh,
New York Times,
17 Oct. 2025
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Plus, if you’re constantly nagged by pesky mosquitos and other flying critters, scoop up this outdoor bug zapper to rid your space of bugs for good.—
Alicia Geigel,
Southern Living,
7 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Such hard coaching would bother some players.—
Jay King,
New York Times,
16 Oct. 2025
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Continue reading … HIT THE ROAD – Duffy responds to trucker who 'couldn't be bothered' to learn English in America.—
,
FOXNews.com,
15 Oct. 2025
Verb
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All the while, the press continued to hound.—
Jon Landau,
HollywoodReporter,
14 Oct. 2025
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McConnell got to his spots easily for pull-up jumpers and picked Dillingham clean after hounding him in the backcourt to force one of the second-year point guard’s three turnovers.—
Jon Krawczynski,
New York Times,
8 Oct. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Peck (at).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/peck%20%28at%29. Accessed 20 Oct. 2025.
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