picked on

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

VERB

nag

Synonyms

STRONGEST

badger bully get at tease torment

WEAK

bait blame carp cavil criticize find fault foment get to goad hector incite instigate pick at provoke quibble start

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.

Under cross examination, however, Kaley talked about feeling neglected, berated and picked on by family members, causing depression and anxiety that had nothing to do with social media.

From Barron's • Feb. 26, 2026

I was picked on, so I retreated into the fantasy world of television.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 25, 2025

They dressed Nania differently than his classmates, who picked on him.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 8, 2025

In fact, I have never felt more picked on in my life than when I became a mother.

From Salon • Sep. 17, 2024

He was real friendly, even when people were kind of rude, and he never picked on other kids.

From "Ida B" by Katherine Hannigan