as in picked 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 pecked (at)
Verb
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Footage of the incident shows King Charles greeting dozens of residents when one man shouted at him, asking whether the monarch had urged police to investigate his disgraced brother, according to The Times.—
Bonny Chu,
FOXNews.com,
6 Feb. 2026 -
His statements come after Trump moved to cut oil supply to the country and urged Cuban leaders to strike a deal, following the capture of Venezuelan strongman Nicolás Maduro.—
Nora Gamez Torres,
Miami Herald,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
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At first, police arrested the driver, but his wife begged Yolanda not to press charges.—
Sean Williams,
Harpers Magazine,
27 Jan. 2026
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Liv Morgan begged for a tag, but she was outfoxed by a blind tag from Rhea Ripley.—
Alfred Konuwa,
Forbes.com,
25 Jan. 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Pecked (at).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pecked%20%28at%29. Accessed 8 Feb. 2026.
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