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picked at

VERB

nag, provoke

Synonyms

WEAK

badger bait blame bully carp cavil criticize find fault foment get at get to goad hector incite instigate quibble start tease torment

Antonyms

WEAK

compliment praise

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

They picked at this particular South Africa scab with their verbal armoury of salty snipes when a tense chase began.

From BBC • Jun. 14, 2025

“The strawberries are picked at their prime and hits the shelves at Erewhon within 24-48 hrs,” an Erewhon rep told the outlet via email.

From Salon • Mar. 4, 2025

It sticks with us because of how vividly it captured the hysterical unreality of living in a turbulent age, and how it picked at the scabs crusting over the face of the American dream.

From Slate • Oct. 29, 2024

Department of Agriculture veterinarian epidemiologist, said there was probably very little risk to public health in having the animals piled up — even if they were picked at and consumed by buzzards, ravens and flies.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 20, 2024

I picked at a loose thread on his bedspread.

From "The Night Diary" by Veera Hiranandani