as in picks 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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pecks (at)
Verb
-
Therapy dogs with the nonprofit also help children learn to read and assist in clinical therapy settings.—
Kelli Bender,
PEOPLE,
31 Oct. 2025 -
Some dogs his size might have ended up getting into some pretty major trouble trying to climb up onto the swing seat, but not Hank.—
Jack Beresford,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Having overlooked many of her own symptoms, Farrington urges people to listen to their body and recognize when something doesn’t seem right.—
Alyce Collins,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Nov. 2025
-
The ad urges members and supporters to join the NRA’s bid to fight back in the congressional midterm elections, where it is expected that Democrats will make a national push for an assault weapons ban like the one former President Bill Clinton instituted in 1994.—
Paul Bedard,
The Washington Examiner,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Victor quickly apologizes for his past cruelty and begs the Creature for his forgiveness in the film’s final few moments.—
Yasmeen Hamadeh,
PEOPLE,
7 Nov. 2025
-
That begs the question of whether the Rockets need to upgrade at point guard, given their championship expectations.—
Ricardo Sandoval,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Nov. 2025
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.
Cite this Entry
“Pecks (at).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pecks%20%28at%29. Accessed 8 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share