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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

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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
  • Well of course weren’t going to complain about getting to see Reba!
    — Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 15 Sep. 2026
  • Karen Khachanov complained about it after Zverev beat him in the semifinals.
    — Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 14 Sep. 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
  • But on a night where there was little to nitpick, the Trojans weren’t exactly efficient on the ground.
    — Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 5 Sep. 2026
  • This can lead to nitpicking as opposed to harnessing important details that can lead to practical solutions.
    — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of nitpick
Noun
  • The quarrel continued up the escalator leading to the mezzanine.
    — Rocco Parascandola, New York Daily News, 11 Sep. 2026
  • The quarrel became physical, and a man pulled a gun and shot the woman in the right calf.
    — Jeramie Bizzle, CBS News, 6 Sep. 2026
Definition of quarrel
Verb
  • Perhaps only a pedant—or a hypocrite—would fuss about that kind of imprecision.
    — Louisa Thomas, New Yorker, 6 Sep. 2026
  • If the offensive line’s healthy again, RB Saquon Barkley will ramble again, broadening QB Jalen Hurts’ margin for error and being fussed at by the coaching staff.
    — David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of fuss
Noun
  • Eliminate all doubt and all potential for committing a violation by using a side-by-side or over/under double barrel.
    — Bryan Hendricks, Arkansas Online, 6 Sep. 2026
  • Still, there was a cloud of public doubt lingering over the event.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 6 Sep. 2026
Definition of doubt
Verb
  • Sam makes a production out of teasing them, mock-reaching for various items on the set as the whole group moans and wails in distress.
    — Tasha Robinson, Vulture, 8 Sep. 2026
  • Endo is the sixth choice midfielder and someone who never moans about his place in the pecking order.
    — James Pearce, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of moan
Noun
  • Reputation work can involve sensitive information about executives, companies and disputes.
    — Scott Keever, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2026
  • Insanity defendants are disproportionately low-income, their cases rarely reach a jury, and there’s usually no dispute about the diagnosis, which is almost invariably schizophrenia.
    — Ian Parker, New Yorker, 14 Sep. 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 17 Sep. 2026.

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