1
as in nibbling
to eat reluctantly and in small bites
found out that fashion models never really eat—they just peck at small meals in expensive restaurants
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in stabbing
to penetrate or hold (something) with a pointed object
the bird continued to peck the suet cake intently
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pecking
Verb
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Smith was convicted of fatally stabbing his estranged wife and her sons decades ago.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
27 Dec. 2024 -
Brooks was sentenced to 12 years in prison in 2017 for stabbing his girlfriend in Monroe County.—
Kate Holland,
ABC News,
27 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Others recalled him having stand-up rows, shouting, swearing, and jabbing his finger in the direction of co-workers.—
Jake Kanter,
Deadline,
9 Apr. 2025
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O'Brien kept the jokes flowing during his opening monologue, lightly jabbing at A-list celebrities and their films while also reminding audiences what the Oscars are really about.—
Edward Segarra,
USA TODAY,
3 Mar. 2025
Verb
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This takes the guesswork out of picking a winner.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 Apr. 2025
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While picking his brain about the former series, Entertainment Weekly got the creator of both shows — Bruce Miller — to provide an update on the new one.—
Lauren Huff,
EW.com,
13 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Justin previously debuted a nostril piercing almost a decade ago with an Instagram selfie in 2016, according to outlets Cosmopolitan and Refinery29.—
Michelle Lee,
People.com,
31 Mar. 2025
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There was something stark and piercing in me that was much closer to clarity than to muddle, but calling it a muddle took less effort.—
Yiyun Li,
The New Yorker,
23 Mar. 2025
Verb
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The sun is spitting out fantastic flares, hurling solar material at Earth and triggering spectacular auroras.—
Amanda Kooser,
Forbes,
3 Jan. 2025
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An Ohio mother is facing criminal charges for allegedly abusing her baby by spitting at her and pouring dish soap down her mouth, authorities said.—
Nicole Acosta,
People.com,
23 Dec. 2024
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Cite this Entry
“Pecking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pecking. Accessed 23 May. 2025.
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