nitpick

verb nit·pick \ ˈnit-ˌpik \

Definition of nitpick

intransitive verb

:to engage in nit-picking

transitive verb

:to criticize by nit-picking

… warns her lawyers not to nitpick on relatively simple matters.
—Deborah L. Jacobs

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nitpick

noun

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nitpicker

noun

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nitpicky

play \ˈnit-ˌpi-kē\ adjective

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Examples of nitpick in a Sentence

her husband nitpicks about everything: from how she puts the plates away to how she files the bills

Recent Examples of nitpick from the Web

Such lists are an invitation to nitpicking by the press and investigators, one White House official noted, but the alternative is no better.

— david von drehle, Time, "How Donald Trump Jr.'s Emails Have Cranked Up the Heat on His Family," 13 July 2017
Such lists are an invitation to nitpicking by the press and investigators, one White House official noted, but the alternative is no better.

— david von drehle, PEOPLE.com, "How Donald Trump Jr.’s Emails Have Cranked Up the Heat on His Family," 13 July 2017
However, Williams took a risk returning to school and will have to make serious strides in his offensive game to avoid being nitpicked by scouts and bypassed by younger prospects.

— jeremy woo, SI.com, "2018 NBA Draft: Ranking The Top 20 Prospects," 26 June 2017
Since Harrell first proposed body cameras in 2010, the idea has been nitpicked by virtually everyone who came into contact with it — often for well-meaning reasons.

— danny westneat, The Seattle Times, "The fatal police shooting of Charleena Lyles cries out for body cameras. But 7 years on, we still don’t have them.," 21 June 2017
Oh, his strategic moves will be nitpicked and second-guessed, just like any manager.

— larry stone, The Seattle Times, "Manager Scott Servais found a way to keep scuffling Mariners together," 8 June 2017
Otherwise, Kerr had little to nitpick about in the 132-113 domination.

— k.c. johnson, chicagotribune.com, "NBA Finals focus: Breaking down the Warriors' Game 2 win," 5 June 2017
Not many holes in the resume Despite his seven Eclipse Awards for Top Trainer and a career earnings mark that now stands north of $338 million, skeptics love to nitpick Pletcher's resume.

— childs walker, baltimoresun.com, "Attention to detail has made trainer Pletcher a winner almost everywhere but the Preakness," 18 May 2017
This might seem like nitpicking, but the quickest way for a young quarterback to tick off his receivers and lose their trust is by putting them in position to be a defensive back’s kill shot.

— sam mellinger, kansascity.com, "The Patrick Mahomes they don’t show on TV; or, Why the Chiefs don’t want their most talented QB to play just yet," 3 May 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'nitpick.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of nitpick

back-formation from nit-picking

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1956

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nitpick Synonyms

Synonyms

carp, cavil, fuss, niggle, quibble

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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nitpick

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nitpicky

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nitpick

Definition of nitpick

nitpick

nitpicker

nitpicky

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