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
-
The Prime Minister, Pedro Sánchez, has led the European opposition to the Iran war, but his tenure has been dogged by a string of scandals.—
Jill Lepore,
New Yorker,
13 May 2026 -
But its relative youth and iconic mascot have not shielded the brand from many of the same issues dogging the company’s older brands, such as Maxwell House and Philadelphia.—
Amelia Lucas,
CNBC,
13 May 2026
Verb
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The Velvet Gang needles the outraged Christie ever so.—
Randy Myers,
Mercury News,
19 May 2026
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After all, there are 40,000 active podcasts, culling a top ten from that massive list is essentially needle meet haystack.—
Frank Racioppi,
Forbes.com,
18 May 2026
Verb
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Adonis yells as Gillis begs him to pull over.—
Alejandra Gularte,
Vulture,
15 May 2026
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Beyond a few days with warmer temperatures, the real sign that spring has arrived is when my nose starts to run, my throat begins to itch, and my eyes are begging for eye drops every morning.—
Carly Totten,
Better Homes & Gardens,
14 May 2026
Verb
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Direct Action Everywhere said the protest was part of an ongoing campaign urging Erewhon to stop selling products tied to factory farms where activists allege criminal animal abuse has occurred.—
City News Service,
Daily News,
20 May 2026
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Anyone who suffered property damage from bullets outside of the immediate area of the house was urged to call Anaheim police.—
Nathaniel Percy,
Oc Register,
20 May 2026
Verb
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Keeping on top of that is like constantly nagging your kids at home to tidy their room.—
Laurie Whitwell,
New York Times,
13 May 2026
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That’s likely welcome news to educators around the country battling a growing attention crisis in classrooms some attribute to constantly nagging smart electronic devices.—
Mack DeGeurin,
Popular Science,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Now the dog is back to bothering her brother and showing off her sassy personality.—
Kelli Bender,
PEOPLE,
15 May 2026
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This is a nakedly partisan power grab, and state officials haven’t really bothered to deny it.—
Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board,
The Orlando Sentinel,
14 May 2026
Verb
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Nobody wants to be hounded — that part is true.—
Nathan Green,
Rolling Stone,
18 May 2026
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Jackson LaCombe hounded him from behind, even raising his stick between Marner’s legs at one point.—
Andrew Knoll,
Oc Register,
15 May 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 22 May. 2026.
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