as in to complain
to make often peevish criticisms or objections about matters that are minor, unimportant, or irrelevant
you know it drives me crazy when you niggle like that
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in quibble
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
2
as in qualm
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of niggle
Aarian Marshall, Wired News, 18 Jan. 2026
Later though, the conversation niggled at me.
—Rachel Linden, PEOPLE, 4 Oct. 2025
Jeremy White, Wired News, 26 Mar. 2026
All this came without Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard, absent with a hip problem and a niggle, respectively, which underlines the depth Arsenal did not have in previous title challenges.
—Sukhman Singh, New York Times, 9 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for niggle
Verb
Car buyers who want to limit in-person negotiating, or at least that niggling feeling that a dealership is pulling one over on them, might be soothed by an internet full of information.
—Aarian Marshall, Wired News, 18 Jan. 2026
Later though, the conversation niggled at me.
—Rachel Linden, PEOPLE, 4 Oct. 2025
Noun
The only niggle here is that, despite this new method of testing being genuinely innovative—one that allows Omega to award these two-hand watches its Master Chronometer label—the concept of accuracy to the second for a dress watch could be seen by some as overkill.
—Jeremy White, Wired News, 26 Mar. 2026
All this came without Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard, absent with a hip problem and a niggle, respectively, which underlines the depth Arsenal did not have in previous title challenges.
—Sukhman Singh, New York Times, 9 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for niggle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for niggle
Verb
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At one practice during the fall of 2024, Washington’s assistant athletic director of football academics Diamond Brown was standing on the sideline when Jonah bounded up to her in full pads and begun complaining about his grade in a music class.—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
21 June 2026
-
How to complain with flair at a restaurant when things go awry?—
The Editors,
Robb Report,
20 June 2026
Noun
-
Still, this is a small quibble next to the accomplishment of this book.—
John Warner,
Chicago Tribune,
13 June 2026
-
The band, expanded to include touring keyboardist Loren Gold, seemed exhilarated, if a little stiff at times, a first-night quibble that will surely self-correct.—
Joshua Rothkopf,
Los Angeles Times,
8 June 2026
Noun
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Smith's qualms stemmed from the massive requirements for the presidential visit, which shut down surrounding streets near Madison Square Garden and forced police to clear out outdoor watch parties.—
Alejandro Avila OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
12 June 2026
-
Still, other board members had qualms going into the meeting on specific contract renewals.—
Kate Perez,
Chicago Tribune,
10 June 2026
Verb
-
Yes, teaching by example is often a better way of handling a challenge than fussing about it.—
Harriette Cole,
Mercury News,
17 June 2026
-
No need to fuss-up something that's just as delicious prepared simply.—
Kimberly Holland,
Southern Living,
5 June 2026
Noun
-
Most of those objections no longer hold.—
Rhett Power,
Forbes.com,
21 June 2026
-
Republicans are considering a sizable, $350-billion-plus increase in Defense spending on par with the White House’s budget request that the GOP could pass on its own, through the reconciliation process that allows Senate majority rule over potential objections from Democrats.—
Lisa Mascaro,
Los Angeles Times,
21 June 2026
Noun
-
The tremor appeared to be centered near Bel Air in Harford County, an area not known for frequent seismic activity.—
Brandi D. Addison,
USA Today,
15 June 2026
-
His whole frame was agitated by a quick and continual tremor, which his pride strove to quell, even in those circumstances of overwhelming humiliation.—
John Swansburg,
The Atlantic,
15 June 2026
Verb
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And the backdrop of worldwide unrest and escalating nuclear threat is subtle to a fault, though that’s just nitpicking.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
9 June 2026
-
There’s been a lot to nitpick with Clemson lately, but this recent recruiting run provides some positivity for a program that could really use it.—
Antonio Morales,
New York Times,
5 June 2026
Noun
-
Finding a sandal that looks dressy, but is comfortable enough to walk miles in is a challenge.—
Aemilia Madden,
Vogue,
18 June 2026
-
The challenge ahead is fundamentally different.—
Greg Bluestein,
AJC.com,
17 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Niggle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/niggle. Accessed 23 Jun. 2026.
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