CAVILS Synonyms: 96 Similar and Opposite Words

cavils 1 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of cavil

as in complains

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

cavils

2 of 2

noun

plural of cavil

as in quibbles

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Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for cavils

Verb

China is demanding the US ease export bans on high-tech goods, like chipmaking gear; the US bitterly complains about Chinese overproduction and transhipment.

— Andy Browne, semafor.com, 21 Sep. 2026
There’ll always be someone who doesn’t like it, who complains about it.

— Destiny Jackson, Deadline, 10 Sep. 2026

Definition of complains

Noun

Unlike Christian priests and medicine men, who generally command respect, rainmakers are sometimes seen as malicious people who retaliate against whole communities for quarrels with their neighbors.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 20 Sep. 2026
On the new series, some House of Stassi castmembers raised their quarrels with Maloney joining their cast.

— McKinley Franklin, HollywoodReporter, 8 Aug. 2026

Definition of quarrels

Noun

Alongside his criticisms of Britain, the Argentine president devoted some invective to the United Nations itself.

— Adrienne Vogt, CNN Money, 23 Sep. 2026
Yet the traditions of these holidays stand alongside the criticisms, both of which allow for debate, revision of celebration, and dissemination of knowledge without tossing out holidays wholesale.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 22 Sep. 2026

Definition of criticisms

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 moans

Verb

So your first indication of problems can be a client who nitpicks every job, forcing you to return to re-trim the 2-inch patch of sod that the client claims wasn’t properly manicured.

— Kathy Kristof, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Jan. 2026
But Brian constantly nitpicks her purchases.

— Kamaron McNair, CNBC, 7 Aug. 2025

Definition of nitpicks

Noun

Arendt herself complicated matters by calling it journalism instead of philosophy, which added to the misunderstandings.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 18 Sep. 2026
Clear, descriptive communication with your doctor helps prevent those misunderstandings.

— Jason Phillips, Ascend Agency, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of misunderstandings

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.

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caviling

cavils

caving

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“Cavils.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cavils. Accessed 29 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of cavils

verb

noun

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