pick at vs criticize

pick at and criticize both are verbs.

Word	Noun	Adjective	Verb	Adverb
pick at	No	No	Yes	No
criticize	No	No	Yes	No

As verbs, criticize is a hypernym of pick at; that is, criticize is a word with a broader meaning than pick at:

pick at: express a negative opinion of
criticize: find fault with; express criticism of; point out real or perceived flaws

Other hypernyms of pick at include criticise, knock, pick apart.

pick at (verb)	criticize (verb)
express a negative opinion of	find fault with; express criticism of; point out real or perceived flaws
eat like a bird	act as a critic
pluck or pull at with the fingers