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
-
Inspired by UConn, other schools in the state, including Eastern Connecticut State University, Central Connecticut State University and the University of Saint Joseph, host dogs almost every week.—
Mikayla Bunnell,
Hartford Courant,
11 Apr. 2026 -
Corruption allegations also dogged the takeover bid.—
Angelica Ang,
Fortune,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
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After injectable GLP-1s soared in popularity in recent years, the introduction of oral versions is seen as a way to expand the market to needle-adverse patients.—
Jeff Marks,
CNBC,
1 Apr. 2026
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Johnson could have needled Woods about their windy Sunday stroll at Augusta in ’07, when Johnson trailed Stuart Appleby by two strokes, and Woods by one, heading into the last round in which Johnson’s 69 produced another slice of history.—
Jay Paris,
Oc Register,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The lopsided football and basketball brackets beg for change.—
Buddy Collings,
The Orlando Sentinel,
17 Apr. 2026
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Lindsay is still texting him, begging for a reply, but Josh focuses on getting Troy to make the necessary calls.—
Rafaela Bassili,
Vulture,
17 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The man wouldn’t put his arm behind his back, prompting witnesses on the other side of the glass doors watching the arrest to urge him to comply.—
Emma Seiwell,
New York Daily News,
15 Apr. 2026
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Speaking at the Presidential Palance in Yaoundé in front of the country’s President, Paul Biya, Leo urged authorities to avoid corrupt practices.—
Christopher Lamb,
CNN Money,
15 Apr. 2026
Verb
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His senior season was derailed by nagging lower-body injuries.—
Eddie Brown,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
13 Apr. 2026
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Just listen to Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Milwaukee Bucks star who has been shut down since March 15 because the Bucks didn’t want his nagging injuries to worsen and affect either his trade value or his 2026-27 season.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The administration doesn’t actually bother to project deficits and public debt over the next decade.—
Editorial,
Boston Herald,
17 Apr. 2026
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In 2019, the band’s bassist and founding member, Steve Harris, told Rolling Stone the fact that the band wasn’t yet inducted at the time didn’t bother him.—
Kory Grow,
Rolling Stone,
17 Apr. 2026
Verb
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This disparity continues to hound a league where the majority of the players are Black, but the coaches and front office decision makers are not.—
Mac Engel
March 30,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
30 Mar. 2026
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His instincts, like his techniques, are relentlessly up-to-the-minute; Orsolya is hounded by not only her guilty conscience but also the demons of social media.—
Justin Chang,
New Yorker,
27 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 18 Apr. 2026.
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