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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Yet an Associated Press analysis finds that schools beyond the Ivy League are far more likely to benefit from the Pentagon aid, including big online universities and some for-profit colleges that have been dogged by fraud accusations.—
Collin Binkley,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Mar. 2026 -
But his tenure has been dogged by controversy.—
Aria Bendix,
NBC news,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Eugenio Suárez, from Venezuela, jokingly cheered for Canada to needle his teammates.—
Devon Henderson,
New York Times,
23 Feb. 2026
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American Olympian Lindsey Vonn fired back at critics who needled her for taking a spot on Team USA despite having a ruptured ACL and later breaking her leg.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
22 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The main street that intercepts the end of my block is tree-lined and buzzing, with generous sidewalks, gleaming (and respected) crosswalks, and wide windowscapes just begging to be strolled and observed.—
Claire Salinda,
Los Angeles Times,
13 Mar. 2026
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Mayor Brandon Johnson surely is looking from afar with envy, having begged Springfield for three years with no success to pass such taxes.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
13 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The intuitive Moon squares Saturn, pitting your 3rd House of Distractions against your 6th House of Pragmatism, urging specific words, meticulous timing, and sensible boundaries.—
Tarot.com,
Sun Sentinel,
12 Mar. 2026
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Nurphoto | Nurphoto | Getty Images Denmark's energy minister urged citizens of the Scandinavian country to cut back on energy use and ditch cars as the price of oil continues to skyrocket amid the Middle East conflict.—
Sawdah Bhaimiya,
CNBC,
12 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Cherono nagged the Marathon Chase and a $10,000 bonus.—
Michelle Edgar,
Daily News,
8 Mar. 2026
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Those kids went home and nagged their parents.—
Christine Peterson,
Outdoor Life,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
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That didn’t bother the three roaches crawling on the floor by a carbon dioxide tank inside the storage room behind the office.—
David J. Neal,
Miami Herald,
13 Mar. 2026
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Other clips don’t even bother rendering a proper baby.—
Joe Wilkins Published Mar 12,
Futurism,
12 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Meanwhile, the individuals in question continue hounding her for autographs and photos.—
Hannah Dailey,
Billboard,
10 Mar. 2026
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Mittelstadt, who has been hounded by high expectations throughout his career due to the Sabres selecting him with the eighth overall pick in 2017, is a bit more reserved than the average, central-casting hockey player.—
Steve Conroy,
Boston Herald,
10 Mar. 2026
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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 14 Mar. 2026.
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