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
  • This spring, Anthropic let the robot dogs out again, but this time, an improved Claude worked alone.
    — Harry Booth, Time, 7 Aug. 2026
  • Canine transmissible venereal tumor, or CTVT, is a genital cancer that dogs pass to one another during mating.
    — John Drake, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026
Definition of dogs
Verb
  • The two argue about Essex’s goals, and Sabretooth urges Wolverine to usurp Essex and take control of the team himself.
    — Jordan Moreau, Variety, 13 Aug. 2026
  • If sleep problems persist, Johns Hopkins urges people to see a doctor rather than let the issue linger.
    — Samantha Agate, Kansas City Star, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of urges
Verb
  • The warm waffle can be filled with matcha, strawberry soft serve or a swirl of both, then dressed up Pocky sticks for a dessert that practically begs for a photo before the first bite.
    — Brittany Anas, Denver Post, 11 Aug. 2026
  • That's because when the stakes are high, and the actors begin to cry, the serious tone begs to be subverted by a humorous caption.
    — Owen Carry, USA Today, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of begs
Verb
  • On weekends, Nelson calls to make sure French has gotten up from bed and nags her to eat.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 31 July 2026
  • 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
  • McDaniel needles the other side of the ball too, James said, warning defenders to be ready for a deep pass before hitting them with a quick out.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 29 July 2026
  • The Velvet Gang needles the outraged Christie ever so.
    — Randy Myers, Mercury News, 19 May 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 17 Aug. 2026.

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