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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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
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The Delaware County District Attorney's Office urges anyone with additional information to contact Detective Leah Cesanek at 610-623-1500 or Detective Chris Karr at 610-891-4700.—
Charna Flam,
PEOPLE,
9 Jan. 2026
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The contest urges fans to submit new flavor ideas for a chance to win $1 million.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Chelsea’s appointment of Liam Rosenior is at least understandable in terms of his work within the BlueCo network, which begs the question of why Ratcliffe’s own multi-club operation could not provide United with a wider network to tap into.—
James Horncastle,
New York Times,
10 Jan. 2026
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Hopper begs her to believe there is another way.—
Maggie Fremont,
Vulture,
1 Jan. 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
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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 11 Jan. 2026.
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