pecks (at)

verb

present tense third-person singular of peck (at)
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)
  1. dogs
  2. urges
  3. begs
  4. nags
  5. needles
Verb
  • Service dogs that bark excessively must be taken out of the facility.
    — Jeanne Phillips, Mercury News, 14 June 2026
  • In a nearly 10-minute long video, Pratt repeated social media posts that dogs on Skid Row are used to test drugs, are bred for drug money and are left in poor conditions by their unhoused owners, among other concerns about overcrowded, dirty shelters across the city.
    — Sandra McDonald, Los Angeles Times, 14 June 2026
Definition of dogs
Verb
  • The Coalition urges Congress to ensure that Tiered Standard payments count for PSLF, allowing more public servants access to forgiveness.
    — Adam S. Minsky, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026
  • The brand urges customers to think of drinking its products as a wellness ritual that’s meant to be enjoyed.
    — Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 9 July 2026
Definition of urges
Verb
  • Rhaena goes to the Vale and begs Lady Jeyne Arryn for sanctuary, but the noblewoman wants nothing to do with her.
    — Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 5 July 2026
  • So this begs an important question about how WD 1856 b even got there in the first place.
    — Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 1 July 2026
Definition of begs
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
Definition of nags
Verb
  • The Velvet Gang needles the outraged Christie ever so.
    — Randy Myers, Mercury News, 19 May 2026
  • 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
Definition of needles
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.

Browse Nearby Words

pecks
pecks (at)
Pecksniffian
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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 13 Jul. 2026.

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