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
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Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pecked (at)
Verb
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Al Olszewski, a former state senator who is running for Zinke's seat, accused both Daines and Zinke of betraying the people of Montana and urged voters to reject their handpicked successors.—
MATTHEW BROWN THE ASSOCIATED PRESS,
Arkansas Online,
6 Mar. 2026 -
The authors, who include veterinarians, researchers and wildlife biologists, urged physicians and other healthcare workers in the region to consider lungworm infection when patients come in with nervous system disorders.—
Susanne Rust
Follow,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Oprah begged me to talk to her.—
Maer Roshan,
HollywoodReporter,
10 Mar. 2026
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Someone rushed off and begged Sava to love them back.—
Ryan Brennan,
Miami Herald,
9 Mar. 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 11 Mar. 2026.
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