pick at
phrase
as in peck (at)
to subject (someone) to constant scoldings and sharp reminders
Stop picking at your sister.
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of pick at
After picking the Wolverines over Penn State and Minnesota in June, Emedobi will look to join the list of moldable edge prospects who became NFL Draft picks at Michigan.
—
Austin Meek,
New York Times,
2 July 2026
Wooden boats bobbed in long rows, their names and registration numbers hand-painted on the hulls, as men in neon vests unloaded catch and frigate birds swooped down to pick at the scraps.
—
Will Freeman,
New Yorker,
30 June 2026
Fruits and vegetables picked at their peak only last a few days.
—
Jessica Farthing,
Southern Living,
19 June 2026
Austin Meek,
New York Times,
2 July 2026
Wooden boats bobbed in long rows, their names and registration numbers hand-painted on the hulls, as men in neon vests unloaded catch and frigate birds swooped down to pick at the scraps.
—
Will Freeman,
New Yorker,
30 June 2026
Fruits and vegetables picked at their peak only last a few days.
—
Jessica Farthing,
Southern Living,
19 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pick at.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pick%20at. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.
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