Phrase guide

pick at

verb · 6 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

verb

Meaning 1

To touch, grab, handle, or pull tentatively or gingerly, using a utensil or one's fingers.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic, transitive

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: fiddle with, toy with

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

To touch, grab, handle, or pull tentatively or gingerly, using a utensil or one's fingers.

Synonym of peck at.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic, transitive

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: fiddle with, toy with, peck at

Antonyms: none provided

3

verb

Meaning 3

To pick on or repeatedly criticize (someone).

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic, transitive

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: nitpick, badger, bully, find fault, pester, bait, bedevil, beleaguer, persecute, dog, besiege, bug, devil, beset, chevy, give someone grief, harass, harry, hound, pick at, plague, vex

Antonyms: none provided

4

verb

Meaning 4

express a negative opinion of

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • She disparaged her student's efforts

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: disparage, belittle

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: knock, criticize, criticise, pick apart

Narrower terms: pan, tear apart, trash, discredit, disgrace, deprecate, depreciate, vilipend, minimize, belittle, denigrate, derogate

5

verb

Meaning 5

eat like a bird

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • The anorexic girl just picks at her food

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: peck at, peck

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: eat

6

verb

Meaning 6

pluck or pull at with the fingers

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • She picked nervously at the buttons of her blouse

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: pluck at, pull at

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: pull

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.