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
  1. complains
  2. quarrels
  3. fusses
  4. criticisms
  5. moans
  6. objections
  7. nitpicks
  8. misunderstandings
Verb
  • Her boyfriend Tom Arnold becomes a writer/producer and complains that someone there stole his love letters and sold out his steamy relationship with Roseanne to the National Enquirer.
    — Mike Fleming Jr, Deadline, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Parent complains about the circumstances Lechner sent an email to the athletic director two days later asking whether a transgender student had participated in the game, and whether that student had access to the same locker room as his daughter.
    — Paula Wethington, CBS News, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of complains
Noun
  • The overtones of social significance are adroitly handled and make real sense in an era of tragic international quarrels.
    — THR Staff, HollywoodReporter, 28 Sep. 2026
  • 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
Definition of quarrels
Verb
  • Five-month-old Ladoo fusses in a hammock made from an old scarf.
    — Diaa Hadid, NPR, 2 Aug. 2026
Definition of fusses
Noun
  • Hope Florida Foundation got a new board and filed tax returns, but criticisms of its efficacy still dog its leaders.
    — Christopher Spata, Miami Herald, 17 Oct. 2026
  • After Anna Faris responded to Mom co-creator Chuck Lorre‘s professional criticisms, Jaime Pressly has chimed in.
    — Glenn Garner, Deadline, 17 Oct. 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
Noun
  • According to people familiar with discussions about the policy, Bennett’s prior objections were a message intended for his domestic political constituency.
    — Eric Cortellessa, Time, 18 Oct. 2026
  • Her objections, when raised, are dismissed quickly and easily.
    — Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of objections
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
  • As romance gives way to heartbreak, misunderstandings and difficult choices, the sisters may not always see eye to eye.
    — Charley Ward, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Four Hands, Two Sonatas ends with Jeong-yo and Pi-o together again, seemingly free of the pressures and misunderstandings that plagued them for so long.
    — Kayti Burt, Time, 6 Oct. 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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Cite this Entry

“Cavils.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cavils. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.

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