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
Examples Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for peck (at)
Verb
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All the while, the heroic couple was dogged by not just a team of lovebird assassins, but an inscrutable bunch of White House bigwigs.—
Matt Webb Mitovich,
TVLine,
21 Jan. 2025 -
However, disagreement has dogged the name for decades.—
Lila Seidman,
Los Angeles Times,
21 Jan. 2025
Verb
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He's floated the idea of the U.S. taking ownership of Greenland and suggested annexing Canada amid border security negotiations in a pitch that Axios' Dave Lawler notes is designed, at least in part, to needle Prime Minister Trudeau.—
Rebecca Falconer,
Axios,
25 Dec. 2024
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As the interview evolves, Cutler seems to revel in needling Stewart.—
Constance Grady,
Vox,
4 Nov. 2024
Verb
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There is a literal abundance of riches begging to be sipped.—
Hudson Lindenberger,
Forbes,
13 Jan. 2025
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The teen lived long enough to call his father, begging for help in his final moments.—
John Annese,
New York Daily News,
12 Jan. 2025
Verb
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In the Atlanta area, DeKalb County officials declared a state of emergency on Wednesday and are urging all residents to shelter in place due to the severe winter weather.—
Kenton Gewecke,
ABC News,
22 Jan. 2025
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Parents were urged to not come to the school and instead to go to a hospital to reunite with their children.—
Alex Sundby,
CBS News,
22 Jan. 2025
Verb
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By James Parker Editor’s Note: Is anything ailing, torturing, or nagging at you?—
James Parker,
The Atlantic,
21 Jan. 2025
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The day before the Dallas Cowboys played the Carolina Panthers, news hit that Trevon Diggs would not only miss the game, but that his season was over due to a knee injury that’s been nagging him.—
Saad Yousuf,
The Athletic,
16 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Vlasic is not bothered by this but does have a suggestion for the NHL.—
Curtis Pashelka,
The Mercury News,
15 Jan. 2025
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The latter group ultimately just couldn’t be bothered to get off their couches.—
Nancy Tartaglione,
Deadline,
15 Jan. 2025
Verb
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The highlights of Williamson’s 360 windmill dunk will live on, but look at the way Murray and Williamson hounded Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards at the point of attack to create the opportunity.—
William Guillory,
The Athletic,
8 Jan. 2025
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Sun-Kissed Cooking: Vegetables Front and Center by Brooke Williamson Chef Brooke Williamson is another on this list who was hounded, frankly, for not having a book out despite more than two decades in the industry under her belt.—
Kristin L. Wolfe,
Forbes,
24 Dec. 2024
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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 27 Jan. 2025.
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