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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The report also notes that 10 Republican state attorneys general have urged the SEC to closely examine OpenAI’s disclosures ahead of a potential public offering, while Congress has separately requested information about the company’s safeguards around conflicts of interest.—
Sharon Goldman,
Fortune,
14 May 2026 -
Residents were urged to use caution when walking, biking or recreating nearby, particularly during the early morning and evening hours when mountain lions are most active.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
14 May 2026
Verb
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The crowd begged him to come out, tip his cap, take their adulation.—
Paul Hardart,
Fortune,
9 May 2026
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At BookCon, readers begged and pleaded to make it off the standby line into a panel featuring Dinniman and the series’ audiobook narrator, Jeff Hays.—
Clare Mulroy,
USA Today,
9 May 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 18 May. 2026.
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