nitpick

verb

nit·​pick ˈnit-ˌpik 

nitpicked; nitpicking; nitpicks

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

nitpick noun

nitpicker noun

nitpicky

ˈnit-ˌpi-kē 

adjective

Synonyms of nitpick

• complain
• quibble
• cavil
• fuss
• moan

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 on the Web

Now, Cleveland desperately needs some guys with track records — Steven Kwan, Kyle Manzardo and, if nitpicking, José Ramírez — to show signs of life, and the club could flaunt its most formidable offense in years. —Zack Meisel, New York Times, 12 May 2026

Though who had time to nitpick, when there were floor-to-ceiling windows and a wide balcony that faced the sea? —Ada Calhoun, Travel + Leisure, 7 May 2026

That meant making some hard choices and nitpicking reasons for why one place shouldn't be included. —Will Richmond, The Providence Journal, 11 Apr. 2026

Its members, many still fatigued from the 2023 strike, don’t seem poised — at least for now — to nitpick their deal or criticize their union for not pushing hard enough. —Katie Kilkenny, HollywoodReporter, 6 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

back-formation from nit-picking

First Known Use

1956, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Kids Definition

nitpick

verb

nit·​pick ˈnit-ˌpik 

: to criticize for tiny faults that are usually of little importance

nitpicker noun