pecked (at)

verb

past tense of peck (at)
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)
  1. urged
  2. begged
Verb
  • The department urged residents to secure access points to crawlspaces and to remove anything that would attract the coyote from the outside of their homes.
    — Alys Martinez, CBS News, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Trump called Jones last month and urged him to meet with Jackson, who defeated Jones in a GOP primary in June, according to three people with direct knowledge of the conversation who aren’t authorized to speak publicly about the exchange.
    — Greg Bluestein, AJC.com, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of urged
Verb
  • Still, Harbaugh was encouraged that at the end of Thursday’s marathon practice, his players actually begged him for one extra play in the red zone.
    — Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 7 Aug. 2026
  • Trump voiced frustration at Iran’s public posturing, suggesting the country’s leaders begged for the discussions, despite their claims of only wanting to deal with Oman.
    — Elena Becatoros, Chicago Tribune, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of begged
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.

Browse Nearby Words

pecked
pecked (at)
pecker
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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 14 Aug. 2026.

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