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
Relevance
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
-
The latest disagreement comes as Democratic politicians nationwide try to navigate growing criticisms from their own voters about American support for Israel.—
Seth Klamann,
Denver Post,
8 Apr. 2026
-
The algorithm funnelled me into accounts that were making hard, scathing criticisms of Judaism as an organized religion.—
Antonia Hitchens,
New Yorker,
6 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
-
Lisa and Daniel Bohm will elaborate on their arguments by April 20, when they’re expected to file preliminary objections to the complaint and, a few days later, a response to their son’s motion for a preliminary injunction.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
15 Apr. 2026
-
Israel and Lebanon will engage in peace talks despite Hezbollah’s objections.—
Elizabeth Robinson,
NBC news,
14 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
-
Despite some advantages, myths and misunderstandings about creatine's safety profile prevail as experts work to clear up misinformation.—
Daryl Austin,
USA Today,
12 Apr. 2026
-
Tennessee lawmakers passed legislation this week to fix the state’s controversial threats of mass violence law, which had resulted in children being charged with felonies over jokes and misunderstandings.—
Aliyya Swaby,
ProPublica,
10 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Nicky and Morgan get accidentally sucked into the vortex of a nasty crime syndicate after Morgan squabbles with a clerk (Boran Kuzum) about jewelry at a store and then filches it.—
Randy Myers,
Mercury News,
9 Apr. 2026
-
But even with the reduced wishlist, many bills died in House-Senate squabbles.—
Romy Ellenbogen,
Miami Herald,
17 Mar. 2026
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.
Cite this Entry
“Cavils.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cavils. Accessed 20 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
