Definitions

pick 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.

It’s been a long, hot day, and I know I smell just like the fish guts being picked at by the gulls.

From Literature

Someone else must’ve been picking at it since I sat here last, because it’s been further sprung from its stitching.

From Literature

She did not, but began picking at something beneath one of her claws.

From Literature

But United also pointed out one key fact: "Our fixtures are available for broadcast picks at times when other clubs are not."

From BBC

It is one of a family of disorders known as body-focused repetitive behaviours, or BFRBs, like biting nails or picking at skin.

From BBC