PECKED Synonyms: 47 Similar and Opposite Words

pecked

verb

past tense of peck

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in stabbed

to penetrate or hold (something) with a pointed object the bird continued to peck the suet cake intently

Synonyms & Similar Words

Example Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of pecked Pelicans swooped overhead and night herons, with spiky yellow feathers flying from their heads, goofily pecked the grass for insects. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 June 2026 As Cadeau pecked his way through the blue-and-maize confetti littering the court, Justin did a quick change. — Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 7 Apr. 2026 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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for pecked

Verb

Threatened by the lack of water and nibbled by starving livestock, the trees that once formed a dense forest in the Somali region of Ethiopia are in danger, locals say.

— ABC News, ABC News, 10 Apr. 2026
For years, not having enough money nibbled at my aunt’s health.

— Jenisha Watts, The Atlantic, 2 Mar. 2026

Definition of nibbled

Verb

Jordan Harbst was riding his scooter along the Greenbelt when 41-year-old Ross Wardlaw allegedly stepped into his path and stabbed him to death, according to previous Statesman reporting.

— Carolyn Komatsoulis Updated July 13, Idaho Statesman, 14 July 2026
Aziel Zacapala, the Rosemead High School student who was fatally stabbed in El Monte on Friday, July 10, 2026.

— Lauren Pozen, CBS News, 13 July 2026

Definition of stabbed

Verb

Even Good’s maroon Honda Pilot, the windshield pierced by Ross’s bullet, was bundled away by the FBI into a storage facility before state law enforcement could get a look at it.

— Quinta Jurecic, The Atlantic, 6 July 2026
Lower the heat to a simmer, and cook until the potatoes are just slightly tender when pierced with a fork or knife.

— Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 July 2026

Definition of pierced

Verb

Two of the points on the rear treble hook were jabbed deeply into the flesh on the outside of the pike’s mouth.

— Jack G. Mell, Outdoor Life, 2 July 2026
And now, 44 years on, new generations of Villa fans could also cherish the moment when Buendia’s cross was jabbed in from close range by Morgan Rogers for the third, ensuring every Brummie in Istanbul could relax and soak in the game’s final 30 minutes.

— Daniel Taylor, New York Times, 21 May 2026

Definition of jabbed

Verb

OpenAI and Elon Musk picked the same Thursday to go head to head.

— Jon Markman, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026
Created in honor of Birds Georgia’s 100-year birthday, the Georgia Birding Trail is a network of locations picked based on accessibility, amenities and wildlife viewing potential, including habitats such as Murphey Candler Park and Reed Creek Park.

— Lesly Gregory, AJC.com, 9 July 2026

Definition of picked

Browse Nearby Words

peck (at)

pecked

pecked (at)

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Pecked.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pecked. Accessed 14 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of pecked

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on pecked

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

yaw

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

Popular in Wordplay

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

One-Word Oxymorons: Bittersweet, Spendthrift, and More

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

The Words of the Week - Jul 10

Popular

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

Games & Quizzes