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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pecks (at)
Verb
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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
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Imagine that, without any apparent reason to do so, the AI urges users to do a smackdown.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
18 May 2026
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The report urges Sacramento to follow San Francisco and Berkeley in restricting non-moving violation enforcement.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
18 May 2026
Verb
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Adonis yells as Gillis begs him to pull over.—
Alejandra Gularte,
Vulture,
15 May 2026
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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
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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
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The Velvet Gang needles the outraged Christie ever so.—
Randy Myers,
Mercury News,
19 May 2026
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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
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Cite this Entry
“Pecks (at).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pecks%20%28at%29. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
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