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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cavils
Verb
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Anushka complains about the agreement that asks users to accept 97 pages of terms and conditions in 7-point font, but these guys don’t even see themselves as car manufacturers.—
Scott Tobias,
Vulture,
10 May 2026 -
Nobody visiting a nuclear facility complains about the onerous security features.—
Juliette Kayyem,
The Atlantic,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
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In a 2024 study, researchers found that chimpanzee mothers tended to step in to defend their children in quarrels—say, over food or space in a tree—in about half of cases the researchers observed in the wild.—
Jackie Flynn Mogensen,
Scientific American,
10 May 2026
-
As the trio quarrels, bonds and ventures through the wild unknown, Felix discovers that true bravery may change not only his own destiny, but also the future of his home.—
Leo Barraclough,
Variety,
10 May 2026
Noun
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Mitchell has heard all the criticisms of not being able to get out of the second round.—
Jason Lloyd,
New York Times,
16 May 2026
-
The most contentious and controversial being some very pointed criticisms of Ole Miss, his former school.—
Ian Miller OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
15 May 2026
Verb
-
The Freight House building creaks and moans underfoot, and passing trains produce little more than a subtle hum.—
Nicole Letts,
Southern Living,
28 Feb. 2026
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Back in the car, Albert moans and groans while Billie shrieks in panic.—
Jordan Hoffman,
Entertainment Weekly,
23 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Some members of the House have raised objections to provisions of the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, in particular the ban on purchases by institutional investors.—
Zach Halaschak,
The Washington Examiner,
12 May 2026
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Neither country’s domestic politics raised objections from the EBU, which viewed the contest purely as a broadcasting exercise, not a method for political accountability.—
Steven Blum,
HollywoodReporter,
12 May 2026
Verb
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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
Noun
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Any talks between the United States and China over AI regulations — designing some kind of arms control agreement governing the use of a technology that neither side fully understands or controls — will be fraught with suspicion, misunderstandings and risk, experts say.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
11 May 2026
-
Pig myths and misunderstandings McLeod and Jennings are quick to dispel myths about their family of pigs.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
10 May 2026
Noun
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But even the past shows signs of treading water, with the team returning to schoolgirl squabbles while their survival isn’t in immediate danger.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
4 May 2026
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Locals are happy to regale you with tales of family squabbles and fishing exploits at any of the seaside watering holes.—
Evie Carrick,
Travel + Leisure,
2 May 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Cavils.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cavils. Accessed 18 May. 2026.
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