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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This particular issue has dogged Samsung’s own foldable phone designs, dating back to its first big swing at a foldable smartphone, the $2,000 Galaxy Fold, released in 2019.—
Dave Smith,
Fortune,
16 July 2025 -
The year-long FOI battle is connected to a convoluted and bitter political rift that has dogged Bloomfield for the past two years under Mayor Danielle Wong’s administration.—
Don Stacom,
Hartford Courant,
16 July 2025
Verb
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Lorde’s singing voice is often doubled throughout the album, but here the other voices occasionally peel off and sing over and against her, sometimes needling, sometimes supporting.—
Mitch Therieau,
New Yorker,
2 July 2025
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Tennis legend Chris Evert needled WNBA players for lack of sportsmanship following Tuesday night’s skirmish that saw Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark get poked in the eye and shoved to the ground in a game against the Connecticut Sun.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
18 June 2025
Verb
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This begs the question: What else is there to say about Young and his offseason?—
Alex Zietlow
July 23,
Charlotte Observer,
23 July 2025
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On top of that, the battery easily goes a week without begging for a charger, and the square AMOLED display is way easier to read mid-run than a round one.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
21 July 2025
Verb
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Residents are urged to exercise caution, stay hydrated, and be aware of the symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke.—
Joyce Orlando,
The Tennessean,
22 July 2025
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Donald Trump has also publicly stated his opposition to breaking encrypted communications, publicly urging the prime minister Kier Starmer not to introduce such measures.—
Barry Collins,
Forbes.com,
21 July 2025
Verb
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There's no way around it, especially since an injury like this could nag on for weeks.—
Zach Pressnell,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 July 2025
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Editor’s Note: Is anything ailing, torturing, or nagging at you?—
James Parker,
The Atlantic,
15 July 2025
Verb
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This means that some people might not bother using them.—
Ben Coxworth
July 26,
New Atlas,
26 July 2025
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But one aspect of his robberies bothers him to this day.—
Faith Karimi,
CNN Money,
26 July 2025
Verb
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She has also been hounded by allegations of misuse of more than $10 million in public funds as vice president and former Education Secretary.—
Chad de Guzman,
Time,
25 July 2025
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With about four minutes left, González pumped his fist in celebration after hounding Aaron Estrada throughout a key defensive possession and helping to force a shot clock violation.—
Jay King,
New York Times,
12 July 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 3 Aug. 2025.
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