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
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Even Hakimi didn't complain, instead giving van de Ven a dap of respect.
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The document complains about trade, customs officers, juryless courts, and judges’ salaries.
Noun
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Still, this is a small quibble next to the accomplishment of this book.
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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.
Verb
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Tucker even nitpicked the nine-pitch at-bat that ended in the pull-side homer.
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And the backdrop of worldwide unrest and escalating nuclear threat is subtle to a fault, though that’s just nitpicking.
Noun
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The victim got into a quarrel inside Bob’s Classic Barber Shop on Albany Ave.
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Rounding out the top five names were seven write-in votes for the Sacramento Capitals or Capitols — which could be nicknamed the Caps to avoid quarrels over the spelling — and six votes for the Sacramento Stingers or Sting, referencing the collegiate Sacramento State Hornets.
Verb
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Yes, teaching by example is often a better way of handling a challenge than fussing about it.
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No need to fuss-up something that's just as delicious prepared simply.
Noun
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The prosecutor’s office, taking a fresh look at the murder, learned the lead investigator shared those doubts.
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Caicedo has made a name for himself as a regular starter for Chelsea in recent years — and his appearance in the Champions League leaves no doubt about his experience in high stakes matches.
Verb
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The call lasted for 12 excruciating minutes, as Adams moaned in pain.
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Witnesses who observed those executions later shared unnerving, and, at times, horrific, accounts of inmates thrashing, moaning, or otherwise appearing to show signs of suffering after the nitrogen gas began to flow.
Noun
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The legal action is part of a broader series of disputes in the streaming industry over carriage rights, bundling requirements and pricing control.
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The dispute over Mississippi's law dates back to 2024, when the Republican National Committee and Mississippi's Libertarian Party filed lawsuits challenging the ballot-receipt deadline.
Cite this Entry
“Cavil.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cavil. Accessed 3 Jul. 2026.
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