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)
Verb
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These furry caregivers aren’t the typical therapy dogs volunteers bring to hospitals to comfort patients.—
Laura Ungar,
Los Angeles Times,
26 May 2026 -
Best Western has many pet-friendly hotels that welcome dogs up to 80 pounds.—
Liz Knueven,
CNBC,
25 May 2026
Verb
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Faye urges her to put them back and forget about it, and when Rue doesn’t listen, Faye screams to wake up Wayne, leaving viewers with the promise of yet another threat that awaits in the conclusion.—
Katie Campione,
Deadline,
24 May 2026
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Later in the conversation, Natalie urges Mackenzie to prepare for the possibility of a harsh sentence while reassuring her that the family is continuing to support her from the outside.—
Nicole Acosta,
PEOPLE,
21 May 2026
Verb
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Which begs the question, why was the elder Greaves, one of the most groundbreaking and prolific nonfiction filmmakers of his generation, unable to finish the film?—
Chris O'Falt,
IndieWire,
22 May 2026
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Agnes ushers Becka to the bath, where Becka begs her to run away with her.—
Samantha Stutsman,
PEOPLE,
20 May 2026
Verb
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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
Verb
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The Velvet Gang needles the outraged Christie ever so.—
Randy Myers,
Mercury News,
19 May 2026
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As Thea’s former suitor, Tesman struggles to call her by her married name, a slip of the tongue that Hedda constantly needles him about.—
Emily McClanathan,
Chicago Tribune,
11 Feb. 2026
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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 28 May. 2026.
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