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

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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

Carlos Dominguez stabbed two people to death in Davis and nearly killed a third.

— Sharon Bernstein, Sacbee.com, 27 July 2026
Ethan Chapin, 20; Kaylee Goncalves, 21; Xana Kernodle, 20; and Madison Mogen, 21, were fatally stabbed in the early morning hours of November 13, 2022, in Moscow, Idaho, authorities said.

— Cindy Von Quednow, CNN Money, 27 July 2026

Definition of stabbed

Verb

More broadly, Iran’s attacks have also punctured confidence and security in the Gulf, disrupting tourism and air travel in a key global transport node, and prompting some expats to flee.

— Jomana Karadsheh, CNN Money, 21 July 2026
Three people were arrested Saturday after Antioch police officers found them with guns and nearly two dozen ounces of marijuana outside a car punctured with bullet holes, police said.

— Rick Hurd, Mercury News, 20 July 2026

Definition of punctured

Verb

According to the artist who made it, John Buckley, and the owner of the home pierced by the shark, Bill Heine, the work was meant as a protest against the recent bombing of Libya, nuclear power and nuclear war, among other things.

— Leslie Felperin, HollywoodReporter, 21 July 2026
In his season of DWTS, Irwin opened up about navigating grief after the death of his father Steve Irwin, who died in 2006 after being pierced by a stingray barb.

— Yamillah Hurtado, PEOPLE, 21 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

Smith was on the 11-member search committee that picked the finalist candidates and weeded Epstein out of the list of top 20 candidates.

— Austin Horn July 24, Miami Herald, 24 July 2026
The six states picked to be first together tell the story of who the Democratic party is, said Debbie Dingell, a congresswoman from Michigan, urging members to not read too much into who was given the first slot.

— Maham Javaid, NPR, 24 July 2026

Definition of picked

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peck (at)

pecked

pecked (at)

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“Pecked.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pecked. Accessed 28 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of pecked

verb

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