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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Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pecked (at)
Verb
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Rush urged her colleagues to be vigilant after the shooting.—
Sarah Lynch Baldwin,
CBS News,
23 Jan. 2026 -
Several legislators urged the University to terminate Cooper, and the university refused.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
22 Jan. 2026
Verb
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According to the prosecution’s filing, Busfield had begged the family not to report him to police and promised to get therapy.—
Gene Maddaus,
Variety,
14 Jan. 2026
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At the time, Busfield begged the family not to report the incident to law enforcement and promising to participate in psychotherapy, according to the motion.—
Sharon Bernstein,
Sacbee.com,
14 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 25 Jan. 2026.
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