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

Related Words

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
  • Parents keep complaining to me that their kids are sedentary at school, even though humans need to keep moving throughout the day to be healthy.
    — Kara Alaimo, CNN Money, 3 Aug. 2026
  • Aside from social media posts complaining about the war’s fallout and some grumbling from oligarchs about the Kremlin seizing their assets, there are still no signs of any widespread popular unrest against Vladimir Putin’s regime.
    — Jason Ma, Fortune, 3 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
  • The quarrel took him in the left shoulder near the neck, and the surgeon attending the king failed to properly remove the shaft.
    — Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026
  • As the quarrel escalated he was stabbed repeatedly in the arm.
    — John Annese, New York Daily News, 12 July 2026
Definition of quarrel
Verb
  • Similar to Egypt after its collapse earlier in the week, Switzerland exited fussing about the officiating.
    — Jerry Brewer, New York Times, 12 July 2026
  • Yes, teaching by example is often a better way of handling a challenge than fussing about it.
    — Harriette Cole, Mercury News, 17 June 2026
Definition of fuss
Noun
  • Early today, the Pisces Moon may stir private doubts or behind-the-scenes frustration as Venus highlights work and wellness .
    — Tarot.com, Chicago Tribune, 2 Aug. 2026
  • That expectation accurately reflects concerns that various justices have expressed about these laws, and their decision to finally take up the issue suggests those doubts run deep.
    — Letters to the Editor, Washington Post, 2 Aug. 2026
Definition of doubt
Verb
  • The performers grind and moan as rain pours from above and a wind machine roars.
    — Lauren Oyler, New Yorker, 20 July 2026
  • Over four months in 2025, a state investigative report found, Sunrise switched Timaloa's room eight times, the last into one occupied by Attilio Cecchetto, 92, a retired tile installer whose dementia led him to frequently moan, mumble, and yell.
    — Jordan Rau, NPR, 19 July 2026
Definition of moan
Noun
  • Rezaei accused Washington of violating the memorandum of understanding and launching attacks without first referring the issue to the dispute resolution committee.
    — Hanna Ziady, CNN Money, 4 Aug. 2026
  • The latest dispute in House centers on whether the College Sports Commission has the authority to review NIL agreements involving multimedia rights companies.
    — Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of dispute

Browse Nearby Words

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cavil
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Cite this Entry

“Cavil.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cavil. Accessed 5 Aug. 2026.

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