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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for peck (at)
Verb
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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
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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
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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
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In turn, Julian begged his ex to destroy the incriminating papers for the sake of their family.—
Sabienna Bowman,
People.com,
18 Apr. 2025
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The other woman begs her not to, but Sofia is determined.—
Kimberly Roots,
TVLine,
17 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Cal Newport, in his book Slow Productivity, challenges the pervasive culture of busyness, urging us to reject constant multitasking and return to work that is meaningful and rooted in quality.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
14 Apr. 2025
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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
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Editor’s Note: Is anything ailing, torturing, or nagging at you?—
James Parker,
The Atlantic,
8 Apr. 2025
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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
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Chicago Bears - Will Campbell, OL, LSU Will Campbell has fallen a bit due to his shorter arm length, but that likely won't bother Ben Johnson.—
Paul Du Quenoy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
28 Mar. 2025
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Because Congress never bothered to write a law to establish it.—
Jay Cost,
The Washington Examiner,
28 Mar. 2025
Verb
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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
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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
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Cite this Entry
“Peck (at).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/peck%20%28at%29. Accessed 23 Apr. 2025.
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