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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If he had been forced to stick with readily available materials, Rashid complains, the deck behind the house would have been green or brown.
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The document complains about trade, customs officers, juryless courts, and judges’ salaries.
Noun
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Rounding out the top five names were seven write-in votes for the Sacramento Capitals or Capitols — which could be nicknamed the Caps to avoid quarrels over the spelling — and six votes for the Sacramento Stingers or Sting, referencing the collegiate Sacramento State Hornets.
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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.
Verb
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Musselwhite punctuated the music with his harmonica trills and moans while his right knee bounced in time with the rhythms.
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As the video continues, one person can be heard yelling her name while the makeup artist moans in pain.
Noun
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The negative shift in 'cynicism's' meaning is largely attributed to the historical lens of Plato's criticisms, as Antisthenes' own writings are scarce.
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But advocates for survivors say there’s ample evidence of failures at high levels, even beyond Guidepost's criticisms of the Executive Committee.
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.
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But Brian constantly nitpicks her purchases.
Noun
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The politically complicated situation has raised a few eyebrows — and ethical concerns — among some aldermen who passed the legislation allowing VGTs over the objections of Mayor Brandon Johnson.
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When New England became a stop on major international trade routes, the multicultural floodgates opened and Puritan objections to things like fashion, elaborate design, lavish displays of wealth and other things deemed excessive were being continually, casually challenged.
Noun
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False hopes about working in retirement speak to fundamental misunderstandings about retirement and the labor market, experts say.
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Also, misunderstandings can be dangerous.
Noun
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And yes, none of this has been traditional in terms of politics, besides the ongoing squabbles between certain politicians, boosters and commissioners from the two biggest conferences in college athletics.
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Could the modern classic sitcom about a group of disgruntled office workers' love affairs, friendships, falling outs, and petty squabbles be made today?
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Cite this Entry
“Cavils.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cavils. Accessed 3 Jul. 2026.
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