cavil 1 of 2

verb

ˈka-vəl How to pronounce cavil (audio)
Definition of cavilnext
as in to complain
to make often peevish criticisms or objections about matters that are minor, unimportant, or irrelevant caviled for hours about a single sentence

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

cavil

2 of 2

noun

as in quibble

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Dissimilar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of cavil
Verb
However, the actual interiors of this four-bedroom home are nothing to cavil at. — Kelly Corbett, House Beautiful, 7 Oct. 2020
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cavil
  1. complain
  2. quibble
  3. nitpick
  4. quarrel
  5. fuss
  6. doubt
  7. moan
  8. dispute
Verb
  • Kayley starts service with a positive attitude, hoping to give the guests no reason to complain.
    — Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 18 Aug. 2026
  • That Sean Payton won by 20 on the road and still spent a good chunk of his postgame presser either complaining, yammering about Jack Lemmon, or both, is a heck of a good sign.
    — Troy Renck, Denver Post, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of complain
Noun
  • Still, this is a small quibble next to the accomplishment of this book.
    — John Warner, Chicago Tribune, 13 June 2026
  • The band, expanded to include touring keyboardist Loren Gold, seemed exhilarated, if a little stiff at times, a first-night quibble that will surely self-correct.
    — Joshua Rothkopf, Los Angeles Times, 8 June 2026
Definition of quibble
Verb
  • Becoming more open-minded instead of nitpicking other people’s posts all the time can be beneficial for you, too.
    — Kristen Rogers, CNN Money, 16 July 2026
  • Tucker even nitpicked the nine-pitch at-bat that ended in the pull-side homer.
    — Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 28 June 2026
Definition of nitpick
Noun
  • As the quarrel escalated, the man stabbed her multiple times all over her body in the park near Eastern Parkway and Rochester Ave.
    — Rocco Parascandola, New York Daily News, 18 Aug. 2026
  • The quarrel turned physical, and one of the three men pulled a gun and shot the victim, police said.
    — Liz Miller, CBS News, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of quarrel
Verb
  • Five-month-old Ladoo fusses in a hammock made from an old scarf.
    — Diaa Hadid, NPR, 2 Aug. 2026
  • Similar to Egypt after its collapse earlier in the week, Switzerland exited fussing about the officiating.
    — Jerry Brewer, New York Times, 12 July 2026
Definition of fuss
Noun
  • Was there ever any doubt Cristobal would succeed at his dream job?
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 16 Aug. 2026
  • Oceanside has worked for years to get its neighbors on board with plans to restore and retain sand on its eroding beaches south of the municipal pier, but some Carlsbad residents still have their doubts.
    — Phil Diehl, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Aug. 2026
Definition of doubt
Verb
  • Hall wrote in his report that Hamilton lay down in the backseat of the police vehicle, moaning and not responding, prompting first responders to give him Narcan.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 14 Aug. 2026
  • After the guards left, the man continued to moan; his cellmates called for a doctor.
    — Joshua Yaffa, New Yorker, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of moan
Noun
  • The switch to in-person court hearings drew immediate criticism and Johnston in October 2025 agreed to reinstate an online dispute process.
    — Shelly Bradbury, Denver Post, 17 Aug. 2026
  • President Volodymyr Zelensky formally dismissed Fedorov on July 15, citing disputes with the former commander-in-chief, Oleksandr Syrskyi, who himself was dismissed on July 21.
    — David Kirichenko, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of dispute

Browse Nearby Words

caviars
cavil
caviled
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Cite this Entry

“Cavil.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cavil. Accessed 20 Aug. 2026.

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