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
  • How to avoid attracting bears Colorado Parks and Wildlife urges residents to lock vehicle doors, keep windows closed and remove food, trash, pet food and scented items from vehicles.
    — Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Wheeler urges brands to use humans to create the core asset around unique, proprietary perspectives and data.
    — Gary Drenik, Forbes.com, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of urges
Verb
  • The novel, inarguably ambitious in scope, begs questions of form and content, and the possibilities and pitfalls of publishing outside traditional pathways.
    — Keziah Weir, Vanity Fair, 13 Aug. 2026
  • 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
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 24 Aug. 2026.

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