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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Law exudes dogged intensity and Nicholas Hoult is superb as the charismatic white supremacist leader in a gripping action drama.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
26 Apr. 2025 -
Still, the Trump administration’s claims of campus antisemitism continue to dog Harvard, with the White House this month making sweeping new policy demands of its leaders while threatening billions of dollars in federal funding.—
Andy Rose,
CNN Money,
26 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Aukerman, now with a much brasher energy, starts needling Mantzoukas, who bandies jokes back across the net.—
Tim Greiving,
Los Angeles Times,
12 Dec. 2024
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The Defender’s large footprint is justified by its considerable luggage capacity, but at the end of the day, the challenges of needling the 110 through narrow roadways and squeezing it into tight parking spots can become a chore.—
Basem Wasef,
Robb Report,
1 Apr. 2025
Verb
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In turn, Julian begged his ex to destroy the incriminating papers for the sake of their family.—
Sabienna Bowman,
People.com,
18 Apr. 2025
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The other woman begs her not to, but Sofia is determined.—
Kimberly Roots,
TVLine,
17 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Police spokesperson Rob Shaw told WFTS that authorities are urging any witnesses with information about the crash to come forward.—
Escher Walcott,
People.com,
28 Apr. 2025
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The ban on food talk relieved them of being questioned or urged.—
Judith Martin,
Mercury News,
28 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Editor’s Note: Is anything ailing, torturing, or nagging at you?—
James Parker,
The Atlantic,
22 Apr. 2025
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The former sheep herder has a 35-man army ready to make the first move, but his moral compass is still nagging at him.—
Matt Cabral,
EW.com,
16 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Scarlett Johansson's Black Widow was popular enough that fans wanted a solo story, but the studio didn't bother to make it until her character was already dead in the major timeline, then skipped the theatrical release, which Johansson sued them about.—
Elizabeth Logan,
Glamour,
19 Apr. 2025
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The Mavericks defeated the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday night in Sacramento, 120-106; the Mavs led by more than 20 points in the first half, and the Kings never bothered to muster much of a run to make this interesting.—
Mac Engel,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
17 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Even missing the likes of Lauren James who was ruled out of the game through injury and at points some clinical finishing, Chelsea hounded after a second goal.—
Caoimhe O'Neill,
New York Times,
12 Apr. 2025
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The Rottweilers being not actual dogs, but Grant's nickname for the snarling, snapping members of the English press who have been hounding him lately.—
Candace Bushnell,
Vogue,
23 Feb. 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 1 May. 2025.
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