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

At least two people were stabbed nearby hours after the June 30 match ended.

— Ryan Macasero, Mercury News, 19 July 2026
Court records indicate Birmingham was accused of killing Lena Elrod with an electric saw and stabbed or struck Justin Elrod in the head with a metallic object.

— Adam Sabes, FOXNews.com, 19 July 2026

Definition of stabbed

Verb

Agents test the packages, but the sheriff’s office said the one found Wednesday was punctured and tainted by saltwater.

— David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 8 July 2026
But even in the midst of those surges, the visible dissent of people such as Renee Good and Alex Pretti punctured that fantasy.

— Quinta Jurecic, The Atlantic, 6 July 2026

Definition of punctured

Verb

In his first international meeting with England, Messi had a pair of assists on two late-match daggers that pierced through the hearts of Three Lions’ players and supporters.

— Gavin Godfrey, AJC.com, 16 July 2026
Finally, in 2024 in Chicago, in an accidental shooting, the same bullet pierced a 16-year-old boy and a policeman.

— Cal Chengqi Fang, The Conversation, 14 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

The signal caller’s success at South Alabama was one of the primary reasons Dickert picked Ezell to be his offensive coordinator.

— Noah Vinsky July 17, Charlotte Observer, 17 July 2026
European referees are chosen for finals played outside Europe, and referees from other continents are picked for finals played in Europe.

— ABC News, ABC News, 17 July 2026

Definition of picked

Verb

That’s highly unlikely considering Lestat and Louis were steps away from getting back together before they were beheaded and had spared only a small moment to reckon with her spending an eternity stuck in purgatory without Madeleine (Roxane Duran).

— Sabrina Reed, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026
The Texas players kicked our bats, yelled at our girls, stuck their tongues out, threw the ball in the air after every inning and on and on.

— Joe Kinsey OutKick, FOXNews.com, 20 July 2026

Definition of stuck

Browse Nearby Words

peck (at)

pecked

pecked (at)

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“Pecked.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pecked. Accessed 22 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of pecked

verb

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