1
as in nibbled
to eat reluctantly and in small bites
found out that fashion models never really eat—they just peck at small meals in expensive restaurants
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in stabbed
to penetrate or hold (something) with a pointed object
the bird continued to peck the suet cake intently
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of pecked
Standing right behind the decoy, the bird cautiously sized up George, pecked him on the head, then jumped and used his spurs to knock George to the ground.
—
Steve Waters, Miami Herald, 13 Mar. 2026
The muscular gizzard contains grit pecked up from the chicken’s ground feeding, which is used to crush up the chicken’s food.
—Josh Miller, Southern Living, 21 Feb. 2026
The two teams faced off again on Sunday, and once again, the Birds pecked Kansas City, this time in a three-point victory.
—Robert Marvi, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Sep. 2025
Steve Waters, Miami Herald, 13 Mar. 2026
The muscular gizzard contains grit pecked up from the chicken’s ground feeding, which is used to crush up the chicken’s food.
—Josh Miller, Southern Living, 21 Feb. 2026
The two teams faced off again on Sunday, and once again, the Birds pecked Kansas City, this time in a three-point victory.
—Robert Marvi, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pecked
Verb
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For years, not having enough money nibbled at my aunt’s health.—
Jenisha Watts,
The Atlantic,
2 Mar. 2026
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What Wear's cocktail reception at Kabawa brought together names like Lana Condor, Tefi Pessoa and Jessel Taank, who joined in the festivities as guests nibbled on oysters and mini beef patties (with goody bags presented by Maison BCBG on the way out the door).—
Anika Reed,
USA Today,
18 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Another did not investigate a claim that a resident was stabbed by a fork-wielding manager, records show.—
Carol Marbin Miller,
Miami Herald,
2 Apr. 2026
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The 39-year-old homeless man who allegedly stabbed a woman in downtown Los Angeles was wanted for allegedly killing someone last year, according to a law enforcement bulletin a source provided to CBS LA.—
Matthew Rodriguez,
CBS News,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Black used the hatchet to damage the vehicle and punctured the tires with a knife, documents said.—
Ray Stern,
AZCentral.com,
25 Mar. 2026
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Beckett’s patter of repetitions and reversals—as the tape is rewound, replayed, and punctured by Krapp’s speech in the present—resembles Lerner’s technique.—
Hannah Gold,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Large pieces of timber pierced the cab of the victim's truck, as well as the trailer and cargo within the trailer, causing some hazardous material to spill onto the roadway, the sheriff's office said.—
April 3,
CBS News,
3 Apr. 2026
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The couple’s 3-year-old son was grazed in the back by the bullet that pierced Kaori’s skull, police and witnesses said.—
Emma Seiwell,
New York Daily News,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The casting director playfully jabbed Anderson in her acceptance speech, referencing the filmmaker's 14 career Oscar nominations without a victory.—
Joey Nolfi,
Entertainment Weekly,
16 Mar. 2026
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Physical abuse reports involve workers being jabbed with kitchen tools, pushed and punched in the face and stomach by chef René Redzepi and others under him who adopted his management style and culture.—
Shindy Chen
March 13,
Charlotte Observer,
13 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Rabell was wearing her nightgown, sobbing, shaking and slumped against her cane when Horta picked her up, Horta said.—
Carol Marbin Miller,
Miami Herald,
2 Apr. 2026
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Neon picked it up with a commitment to stand by the Not Rated cut alone.—
Gustavo Turner,
HollywoodReporter,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The average commuter spends 63 hours a year stuck in traffic.—
Jessica Guynn,
USA Today,
1 Apr. 2026
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The suspect was stuck in the shoulder while a stray bullet grazed a sleeping 71-year-old in a near by home.—
Colleen Cronin,
Boston Herald,
31 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pecked.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pecked. Accessed 4 Apr. 2026.
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