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
Relevance
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
-
The Velvet Gang needles the outraged Christie ever so.—
Randy Myers,
Mercury News,
19 May 2026
-
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
-
Which begs the question, why was the elder Greaves, one of the most groundbreaking and prolific nonfiction filmmakers of his generation, unable to finish the film?—
Chris O'Falt,
IndieWire,
22 May 2026
-
An all-white outfit is practically begging for a headscarf moment.—
Amanda Le,
InStyle,
22 May 2026
Verb
-
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
-
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
-
My occupations have given me a happy, humble, quiet life, but always nagging in the back of my mind has been a case of impostor syndrome.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
18 May 2026
-
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
Verb
-
In a funny touch of feminist commentary, the Pounds parents are intent on their bratty son Andrew (Hamnet survivor Jacobi Jupe) getting the best possible education but less bothered about glum daughter Drissila (Evie Templeton).—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
22 May 2026
-
What bothers him most, however, is the suggestion that neo-soul lacked authenticity or cultural purpose.—
Datwon Thomas,
VIBE.com,
22 May 2026
Verb
-
Nobody wants to be hounded — that part is true.—
Nathan Green,
Rolling Stone,
18 May 2026
-
Jackson LaCombe hounded him from behind, even raising his stick between Marner’s legs at one point.—
Andrew Knoll,
Oc Register,
15 May 2026
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Cite this Entry
“Peck (at).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/peck%20%28at%29. Accessed 23 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
