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
as in quibble
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Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of cavil
Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 10 May 2021
However, the actual interiors of this four-bedroom home are nothing to cavil at.
—Kelly Corbett, House Beautiful, 7 Oct. 2020
Verb
Naysayers often cavil that California’s economic growth depends almost entirely on Silicon Valley and the capital gains income of its wealthiest residents, but its primacy in high technology encompasses fields outside Northern California, such as biotech.
—Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 10 May 2021
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
Verb
-
The large Sunbridge development is planned nearby, but there are no current residents anywhere near it to complain.—
Ryan Gillespie,
The Orlando Sentinel,
8 Mar. 2026
-
But Kesselman said his sister had unbelievable courage and never complained.—
Natalie McMillan,
CBS News,
8 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Sure, there are some quibbles with the 10 best picture nominees.—
Bill Goodykoontz,
AZCentral.com,
28 Jan. 2026
-
No, the writing is not as sharp as Season 1, and there are some outlandish elements designed to create tension that come off as a little too preposterous, but these are minor quibbles.—
Erik Kain,
Forbes.com,
15 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
As a dominant team, the Bruins have to nitpick at times to find areas of to improve.—
Marisa Ingemi,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Mar. 2026
-
Sure, scouts will nitpick his profile.—
Dieter Kurtenbach,
Mercury News,
26 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Two men were hospitalized early Sunday after a quarrel turned into a shootout on the 79th Street Red Line platform along the Dan Ryan Expressway.—
Dylan Olsen,
CBS News,
8 Mar. 2026
-
Herro posted a photo of that autographed Durant jersey on his Instagram on Sunday, acknowledging his respect for Durant hours after Saturday’s quarrel.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
3 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Asparagus fern is very tolerant of indoor living, doesn't fuss too much about watering schedules, and can make do with less-than-ideal lighting conditions.—
Samantha Johnson,
Martha Stewart,
16 Feb. 2026
-
Your son is fussing in his car seat.—
Elizabeth Bruenig,
The Atlantic,
12 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The uncertainty comes on top of doubts already surrounding India’s more than $120 million investment in the Shahid Beheshti terminal at Iran’s Chabahar Port.—
Priyanka Salve,
CNBC,
12 Mar. 2026
-
There were some doubts about the RedHawks earning an at-large NCAA Tournament berth.—
Joe Reedy,
Chicago Tribune,
12 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
One minute later, Pedro Neto was yellow-carded for moaning.—
Matt Slater,
New York Times,
5 Mar. 2026
-
The Freight House building creaks and moans underfoot, and passing trains produce little more than a subtle hum.—
Nicole Letts,
Southern Living,
28 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Anderson has countersued and accused Burkle of smearing his reputation amid a separate business dispute.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
6 Mar. 2026
-
Burkle alleges that Anderson stopped paying him in 2014 after becoming angry with him over an unspecified personal dispute, the complaint states.—
Clara Harter,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Cavil.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cavil. Accessed 14 Mar. 2026.
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