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
-
Out of innumerable likely topics, Maher complains about folks who defend cats.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
5 Apr. 2026 -
At one point in the documentary, Suga, one of the group’s rappers, complains that there is too much English on the album.—
Mitch Therieau,
New Yorker,
27 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Avoid money quarrels with everyone.—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
8 Feb. 2026
-
His quarrels with Massie and interest in relitigating the 2020 election seem to animate him more, too.—
W. James Antle III,
The Washington Examiner,
6 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
What the city got from some within the police department was more than 80 pages of complaints, criticisms and concerns about then-police chief Mikael Dahlstrom, allegations that led to him resigning in November after the city decided not to carry out a formal investigation.—
Nick Ferraro,
Twin Cities,
4 Apr. 2026
-
Scharf also began the discussion of the ballroom by pointing to past media criticisms of the construction of the White House under past presidents.—
Mabinty Quarshie,
The Washington Examiner,
2 Apr. 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
-
Back in the car, Albert moans and groans while Billie shrieks in panic.—
Jordan Hoffman,
Entertainment Weekly,
23 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Parliament Speaker Aung Lin Dwe said the appointments of 30 ministers were approved with no objections.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
9 Apr. 2026
-
Since the initial news of Gatewood’s filing with the IG, speculation regarding the content of the complaint has focused on ShotSpotter, the gunshot-detection technology formerly employed in parts of the city, which Johnson ended in the fall of 2024 over the objections of a majority of aldermen.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
8 Apr. 2026
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
Noun
-
This prevents misunderstandings and keeps the owner-rental relationship healthy.—
Kathy Barnes,
Better Homes & Gardens,
4 Apr. 2026
-
Cultural differences can account for some misunderstandings.—
Eve Chen,
USA Today,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
But even with the reduced wishlist, many bills died in House-Senate squabbles.—
Romy Ellenbogen,
Miami Herald,
17 Mar. 2026
-
But the amount of water flowing downstream has been dropping due to a long-term drought at the same time, causing squabbles among the states over who gets how much for farming, drinking and industrial uses.—
Trevor Hughes,
USA Today,
15 Mar. 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Cavils.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cavils. Accessed 10 Apr. 2026.
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