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
-
Cadaver dogs that previously searched the family's home did indicate dirt in the family's backyard had the scent of human remains.—
Matthew Ablon,
CBS News,
12 May 2026 -
Naomi’s acoustic guitar kept feeding back, causing our stage to spew out the kinds of screeching frequencies that dogs famously hate.—
Katie Gavin,
Time,
8 May 2026
Verb
-
Kaaoush urges homeowners to understand insurance coverage before disaster strikes, noting that insurers are not required to proactively warn policyholders if they are underinsured.—
Kait Hanson,
Southern Living,
11 May 2026
-
Letter urges reconsideration of design In a letter to church elders, Hubbard argues that newer LDS temple designs suggest tall steeples are not always necessary.—
Erin Jones,
CBS News,
8 May 2026
Verb
-
Adonis yells as Gillis begs him to pull over.—
Alejandra Gularte,
Vulture,
15 May 2026
-
In one of three handwritten letters, Rodriguez-Singh begs state District Judge Julie Lugo, who this week recused herself from the case for a reason that is not clear, for help.—
Emerson Clarridge,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
15 May 2026
Verb
-
But in the final moments, when Carol is back in her coach seat on the plane, something nags at her.—
Scott Tobias,
Vulture,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
As Thea’s former suitor, Tesman struggles to call her by her married name, a slip of the tongue that Hedda constantly needles him about.—
Emily McClanathan,
Chicago Tribune,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Jake needles Harry about the past 50 years, but Harry can only offer scraps of history.—
Randall Colburn,
Entertainment Weekly,
13 Jan. 2026
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 18 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
