niggling

1 of 2

adjective

nig·​gling ˈni-g(ə-)liŋ 

: petty

also : bothersome or persistent especially in a petty or tiresome way

niggling injuries

niggling noun

nigglingly

ˈni-g(ə-)liŋ-lē 

adverb

niggling

2 of 2

present participle of niggle entry 1

Synonyms of niggling

Adjective

• slight
• nominal
• petty
• tiny

Examples of niggling in a Sentence

Adjective

only niggling differences between the original Broadway musical and the film version that followed

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

As the kids grow up and move out, and as your space starts feeling like a little too much upkeep, a niggling thought about downsizing may start to grow louder. — Wendy Rose Gould, Martha Stewart, 7 July 2026

Their season has been busy, grumpy and overstretched, and pressure has been a niggling, constant companion, particularly at home, but their opponents on Sunday were hapless, soft in defence and muddled in their thinking. — George Caulkin, New York Times, 18 May 2026

The sellers got slightly more than their asking price without any niggling 11th-hour negotiations. — Kim Velsey, Curbed, 29 Aug. 2024

And yet, a niggling sense of loss remains after the season 5 finale; many of Diana’s most important moments and relationships are relegated to a handful of scenes. — Lauren Puckett-Pope, ELLE, 10 Nov. 2022

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1599, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for niggling

• giggling
• jiggling
• wiggling
• wriggling