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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His handling of abuse allegations is an issue that is going to dog him.—
Philip Elliott,
Time,
8 May 2025 -
But Tagle also has been dogged by a record of poor administration in his role leading a Vatican organization, making for a big decision for the 100-or-so cardinals this week.—
Elizabeth Robinson,
NBC news,
5 May 2025
Verb
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The weary guard is subtler than other characters at pulling Henry’s strings, but Jerry needles his captor by surmising correctly that even his list of demands is Gene’s work.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
30 Apr. 2025
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While the night kicked off with Clay Matthews needling the Chicago Bears, the Windy City club still got their man.—
Joe Kozlowski,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Apr. 2025
Verb
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While Kardashian was begging for her life, the men rummaged through her belongings and stole roughly millions of dollars worth of jewelry from her.—
Caroline Blair,
People.com,
13 May 2025
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This rule of course begs two questions: where to build and how to pay for it?—
Lucius Riccio,
New York Daily News,
12 May 2025
Verb
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Friday's statement from the embassy urged American citizens to take shelter if there was an aerial alert, following the language previously issued as part of its standard security protocols.—
Brendan Cole,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 May 2025
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Secretary of State Marco Rubio called senior officials in both countries before the attacks, urging them to ease tensions.—
Annabella Rosciglione,
The Washington Examiner,
10 May 2025
Verb
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Jaylen Brown, who tallied 21 points and 11 rebounds in Game 4, is listed as questionable for Game 5 with the right knee posterior impingement that has nagged him since before the NBA All-Star break.—
Zack Cox,
Boston Herald,
28 Apr. 2025
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The question nagged at Jimenez Underwood, whose father, an undocumented Huichol field worker, was deported multiple times.—
Alex Greenberger,
ARTnews.com,
1 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Or Xander Schauffele, the defending PGA champion who is surely not bothered by the lack of attention on him early this week.—
Brody Miller,
New York Times,
15 May 2025
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That doesn’t mean the implication doesn’t bother him.—
Jack Harris,
Los Angeles Times,
15 May 2025
Verb
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Lu Dort struggles on offense For all intents and purposes, Lu Dort, whose primary job in this series is to hound Jamal Murray for 48 minutes, is doing a solid job defensively.—
Kelly Iko,
New York Times,
10 May 2025
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Charlie is just a person in a unique position to help, so of course she’s persistently hounded by people who need it — and lots of people need it!—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
8 May 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 21 May. 2025.
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