niggle

¹nig·gle

verb \ˈni-gəl\

nig·glednig·gling\-g(ə-)liŋ\

Definition of NIGGLE

intransitive verb

1

a : trifle b : to spend too much effort on minor details

2

: to find fault constantly in a petty way : carp <she haggles, she niggles, she wears out our patience — Virginia Woolf>

3

: gnaw

transitive verb

: to give stingily or in tiny portions

— nig·gler \-g(ə-)lər\ noun

Examples of NIGGLE

1. She had been niggled by worry her entire life.
2. He's always niggling over small details.

Origin of NIGGLE

origin unknown

First Known Use: circa 1616

Related to NIGGLE

Synonyms: carp, cavil, fuss, quibble, nitpick

Related Words: criticize, fault; beef, bellyache, bitch, complain, crab, croak, gripe, grouse, growl, grumble, kick, kvetch, moan, squawk, squeal, wail, whimper, whine, yammer, yawp (or yaup), yowl; murmur, mutter

Near Antonyms: applaud, commend, compliment, praise, recommend; approve, back, champion, endorse (also indorse), support

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Rhymes with NIGGLE

giggle, higgle, jiggle, sniggle, squiggle, wiggle, wriggle