as in to pick 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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for peck (at)
Verb
-
This issue continues to dog the fan community, in particular.—
Simon Thompson,
Forbes.com,
12 Apr. 2025 -
Snow White is looking at gross of $14 million to $15 million in its second weekend, a steep decline of 65 percent or more as the live-action update continues be dogged by poor word-of-mouth and controversial headlines over its star, Rachel Zegler.—
Pamela McClintock,
HollywoodReporter,
29 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
The Defender’s large footprint is justified by its considerable luggage capacity, but at the end of the day, the challenges of needling the 110 through narrow roadways and squeezing it into tight parking spots can become a chore.—
Basem Wasef,
Robb Report,
1 Apr. 2025
-
The Defender’s large footprint is justified by its considerable luggage capacity, but at the end of the day, the challenges of needling the 110 through narrow roadways and squeezing it into tight parking spots can become a chore.—
Basem Wasef,
Robb Report,
1 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
In turn, Julian begged his ex to destroy the incriminating papers for the sake of their family.—
Sabienna Bowman,
People.com,
18 Apr. 2025
-
The other woman begs her not to, but Sofia is determined.—
Kimberly Roots,
TVLine,
17 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Instead of immediately attempting to call off his rabid supporters, Trump sat on his hands as his supporters stormed the Capitol—even as members of his own party urged him to help.—
Ali Breland,
The Atlantic,
14 Apr. 2025
-
When Joel returns to what’s obviously his greatest therapy hits — woe is me, my teenage daughter hates me — Gail’s had it and urges him to say the scary thing out loud.—
Sara Netzley,
EW.com,
14 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Editor’s Note: Is anything ailing, torturing, or nagging at you?—
James Parker,
The Atlantic,
8 Apr. 2025
-
The former sheep herder has a 35-man army ready to make the first move, but his moral compass is still nagging at him.—
Matt Cabral,
EW.com,
16 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Scarlett Johansson's Black Widow was popular enough that fans wanted a solo story, but the studio didn't bother to make it until her character was already dead in the major timeline, then skipped the theatrical release, which Johansson sued them about.—
Elizabeth Logan,
Glamour,
19 Apr. 2025
-
The Mavericks defeated the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday night in Sacramento, 120-106; the Mavs led by more than 20 points in the first half, and the Kings never bothered to muster much of a run to make this interesting.—
Mac Engel,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
17 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Even missing the likes of Lauren James who was ruled out of the game through injury and at points some clinical finishing, Chelsea hounded after a second goal.—
Caoimhe O'Neill,
New York Times,
12 Apr. 2025
-
The Rottweilers being not actual dogs, but Grant's nickname for the snarling, snapping members of the English press who have been hounding him lately.—
Candace Bushnell,
Vogue,
23 Feb. 2025
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.
Cite this Entry
“Peck (at).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/peck%20%28at%29. Accessed 24 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share