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picking 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.

In the park, a sunburned figure itches an arm cast; another slumps on a bench, picking at his eyes.

From Slate • May 10, 2026

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 • Mar. 24, 2026

The two spend the years picking at each other while secretly growing fond of the other’s company, though never able to act on their feelings due to the difference in their social status.

From Salon • Feb. 14, 2026

U.S. and Cook Islands government news releases showed him in a suit picking at pieces of pineapple and papaya as he sat opposite a group of diplomats in Hawaiian-style shirts.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 27, 2025

So I grabbed a slice of pizza and busied myself by picking at the tomatoes and rearranging them into an angry face.

From "The First Rule of Punk" by Celia C. Pérez