pick at

phrase

Synonyms of pick atnext
: to criticize repeatedly especially for minor faults : nag

Examples of pick at in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
So, naturally, the competition between the two states assumed fraught racial overtones, which is unfortunate but not surprising, given Democrats’ penchant for picking at sore spots and turning on each other at the slightest provocation. — Los Angeles Times, 2 Aug. 2026 Avoid picking at or popping blemishes, as this could increase your risk of infection, scarring, and hyperpigmentation. — Sherri Gordon, Health, 28 July 2026 Another refuses outside contributions, so the field stays whatever the author picked at launch. — Lucas Giordano, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026 Part three shows footage of the unidentified passenger picking at her foot, which appears to have dry skin, on one of the boat’s decks. — Perri Ormont Blumberg, FOXNews.com, 25 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for pick at

Rhymes for pick at

See All Rhymes for pick at

Browse Nearby Words

pick a quarrel
pick at
pickaternie
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Pick at.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pick%20at. Accessed 3 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on pick at

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for pick at

Nglish: Translation of pick at for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of mitigate

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

'Sneaked' or 'Snuck': Which is correct?

Why does English have so many silent letters?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

How long is a jiffy?

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)
See More

Popular

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
asap street sign
Figure Out These Acronyms ASAP You don't have to be a NASA engineer to get these...
See All