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

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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
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
  1. complain
  2. quibble
  3. nitpick
  4. quarrel
  5. fuss
  6. doubt
  7. moan
  8. dispute
Verb
  • In short order, users started complaining about multiple system reboots rather than the one expected with a security update.
    — Davey Winder, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026
  • Researchers found nearly everyone admits to at least one bad beach habit, even as many complain about other people’s behavior.
    — Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 19 July 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
  • Tucker even nitpicked the nine-pitch at-bat that ended in the pull-side homer.
    — Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 28 June 2026
  • While there’s still room for these players to develop (and areas to nitpick), the only major disappointments of this class came early and late, with Jones and cornerback Cory Trice Jr.
    — Mike DeFabo, New York Times, 10 June 2026
Definition of nitpick
Noun
  • As the quarrel escalated he was stabbed repeatedly in the arm.
    — John Annese, New York Daily News, 12 July 2026
  • Candi is the family mediator Like any father-daughter coaching dynamic, Corey and Coco have had their fair share of quarrels on the tennis court.
    — Emily Weaver, PEOPLE, 9 July 2026
Definition of quarrel
Verb
  • Yes, teaching by example is often a better way of handling a challenge than fussing about it.
    — Harriette Cole, Mercury News, 17 June 2026
  • No need to fuss-up something that's just as delicious prepared simply.
    — Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 5 June 2026
Definition of fuss
Noun
  • But the public show of confidence hasn’t quieted longstanding doubts about Collins’ chances of ousting Ossoff.
    — Greg Bluestein, AJC.com, 20 July 2026
  • The unity shown in Ankara will only stimulate additional doubts over Moscow’s capacity to end the conflict favorably.
    — Ihor N. Stelmach, Hartford Courant, 19 July 2026
Definition of doubt
Verb
  • Swinging his hips, moaning into the mic and briefly getting promiscuous with a mic stand was the authenticity that the majority-millennial crowd expected.
    — Sophie Lindberg July 11, Kansas City Star, 12 July 2026
  • Federal officers stand over a man with a bloody shirt who is handcuffed face down, moaning in pain as his left foot shakes.
    — Andrea Castillo, Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2026
Definition of moan
Noun
  • Former Defense Secretary John Healey, who resigned last month over a military spending dispute, was appointed as the UK’s new finance minister, known as Chancellor of the Exchequer.
    — Issy Ronald, CNN Money, 20 July 2026
  • Authorities had not said how many weapons were fired or publicly detailed what started the dispute.
    — Eric Mack, FOXNews.com, 20 July 2026
Definition of dispute

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Cite this Entry

“Cavil.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cavil. Accessed 21 Jul. 2026.

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