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
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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
Noun
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
-
Gil complained that the mound was slick, and the grounds crew came out to work on it in between innings.—
Gabrielle Starr,
Boston Herald,
13 Sep. 2025
-
Although the underlings complained about my methods, the cartel leaders, like Pedro and his boss, El Viejo, a key deputy of Pablo Escobar, were on my side.—
Martin Suarez,
Rolling Stone,
13 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Of course, these are minor quibbles, proposed by a man (strike one) obsessed with politics (strike two).—
Graham Hillard,
The Washington Examiner,
22 Aug. 2025
-
One quibble: the notable lack of San Diego beers made this a bittersweet read.—
Peter Rowe,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
18 July 2025
Verb
-
However, some less-than-supportive viewers were quick to nitpick her glam choices for nationals, including her makeup for the final round.—
Zoey Lyttle,
PEOPLE,
9 Sep. 2025
-
That might seem like nitpicking, except this is a franchise that has had the luxury of starting-caliber linemen as reserves.—
Zach Berman,
New York Times,
17 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
However, lovers’ quarrels or difficulty dealing with children (hissy fits or meltdowns) might occur.—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
16 Sep. 2025
-
The outcome of that long-simmering family quarrel is never really in much doubt, but there are still a few neat surprises involving a couple of rare bottles of whiskey and the fate of two family businesses.—
Stephen Farber,
HollywoodReporter,
15 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Others might tell you that hosting an awards show is a thankless gig, but Bargatze doesn’t seem fussed.—
Lacey Rose,
HollywoodReporter,
10 Sep. 2025
-
This was the mid 1980s and tandem skydiving hadn’t been popularized yet, so his father, Roger, adjusted accordingly by stuffing carpet padding into the leg pads to stop him from fussing.—
Angelina Liu,
People.com,
2 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
From the outside, Laura could be loving, protective, overbearing, even intrusive — while Cherry sows doubt for hiding pieces of her past despite ostensibly adoring her new beau.—
Proma Khosla,
IndieWire,
10 Sep. 2025
-
Basically, slap on a pair of gloves or leave the washing to someone else if ever there is a doubt.—
Audrey Bruno,
SELF,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Julia says, dropping to all fours and moaning amid a pile of straw on the floor.—
Kimberly Roots,
TVLine,
5 Sep. 2025
-
Ellis could be heard moaning and could be seen lying on the ground.—
Elena Santa Cruz,
AZCentral.com,
3 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The dispute was heard by an arbitrator (and not a judge) because, per SPAC language and accompanying NBPA regulations, player-agent disputes are subject to arbitration.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
12 Sep. 2025
-
The dishwasher was made in America, though there is some dispute over who did it.—
Jeremy Lott,
The Washington Examiner,
12 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Cavil.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cavil. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.
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