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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Whistleblower allegations and production quality concerns have dogged the company, but Grant noted that Boeing has introduced improvements that airlines are beginning to see firsthand.—
Lim Hui Jie,
CNBC,
9 Sep. 2025 -
Lower Basin states, including Arizona, have put forward a new concept, but that plan has run into many of the same conflicts that dogged the Lower Basin’s previous proposal.—
Austin Corona,
AZCentral.com,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Resentment soon starts needling away at them as Theo goes over budget and Ivy feels her role as a mother has been usurped — the kids are now too health-conscious even to touch her desserts.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
25 Aug. 2025
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South Park is continuing to needle Donald Trump and his administration as Season 27 continues.—
Emily Zemler,
Rolling Stone,
20 Aug. 2025
Verb
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As summer winds down and your strands have endured heatwaves, pool days, and sweaty workouts, your curls might be begging for a break.—
Larry Stansbury,
Essence,
4 Sep. 2025
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Here’s the at-home solution your achy legs have been begging for.—
Jenny McCoy,
SELF,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Stander and colleagues have been leading the effort and were previously urged by Florida state officials to try it.—
Vinod Sreeharsha,
Miami Herald,
6 Sep. 2025
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Jang Dong-hyeok, chair of the main opposition People Power Party in Korea, urged President Lee on Saturday to take swift action, citing broader repercussions to other Korean businesses.—
Rebecca Schneid,
Time,
6 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Editor’s Note: Is anything ailing, torturing, or nagging at you?—
James Parker,
The Atlantic,
19 Aug. 2025
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Will her sense of completism nag at you, even incline you toward boredom?—
Justin Chang,
New Yorker,
14 Aug. 2025
Verb
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The acting didn’t bother me, but the directing did.—
Scott Roxborough,
HollywoodReporter,
4 Sep. 2025
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If the odds of winning the lottery are so low, why do people bother playing?—
Charles Trepany,
USA Today,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Over iMessage, John pleaded with her not to post the images, but Sarah continued to hound him for money.—
Thomas Brewster,
Forbes.com,
26 Aug. 2025
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One of those fans happens to be Angela Bassett‘s sister, who has apparently been hounding Bassett about the potential return of her on-screen hubby.—
Andy Swift,
TVLine,
21 Aug. 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 9 Sep. 2025.
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