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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in quibble
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in qualm
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of niggle
Dermot Corrigan, The Athletic, 16 Jan. 2025
He’s also had several niggling injuries since leaving his homeland five years ago.
—Elias Burke, The Athletic, 21 Aug. 2024
Jordan Campbell, The Athletic, 22 Nov. 2024
When the lineup had to be rotated to rest players nursing niggles, backups slotted in with virtually no noticeable decline in team play.
—Kyle Foley, Orlando Sentinel, 7 Nov. 2024
See All Example Sentences for niggle
Verb
In his first season back, Cazorla played 26 games in all competitions, providing four assists, but niggling injuries hampered his contribution.
—Dermot Corrigan, The Athletic, 16 Jan. 2025
He’s also had several niggling injuries since leaving his homeland five years ago.
—Elias Burke, The Athletic, 21 Aug. 2024
Noun
But Timber has also suffered a couple of niggles that saw Thomas Partey shifted to right back.
—Jordan Campbell, The Athletic, 22 Nov. 2024
When the lineup had to be rotated to rest players nursing niggles, backups slotted in with virtually no noticeable decline in team play.
—Kyle Foley, Orlando Sentinel, 7 Nov. 2024
See All Example Sentences for niggle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for niggle
Verb
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His team-mates celebrated; the Boca players complained furiously, surrounding the referee and pointing at Marchesin.—
Jack Lang,
New York Times,
21 June 2025
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Several commentors have defended Wong and her administration, but others have complained there’s a pattern of high-handedness at Bloomfield town hall.—
Don Stacom,
Hartford Courant,
20 June 2025
Noun
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Send your wine questions and quibbles to sethebarlowwine@gmail.com Support journalism that digs deeper into topics that matter most to Arkansans.—
Seth Eli Barlow,
Arkansas Online,
17 June 2025
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The new camera setup alongside a bigger screen answers two of the most prominent quibbles Samsung users have voiced about its foldable phones.—
Janhoi McGregor,
Forbes.com,
5 June 2025
Noun
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But many in attendance seemed to have no such qualms.—
Jason Henry,
New York Times,
3 May 2025
-
And anyway he’s got his qualms about being compared too directly to the likes of Willie and Waylon.—
Tribune News Service,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
2 June 2025
Verb
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As a storyteller, Tyagi isn’t too fussed about making his plot persuasive — the ease with which Nair and his co-counsel Dilreet Gill, played by Ananya Panday, manage to uncover evidence defies logic.—
Anupama Chopra,
HollywoodReporter,
24 Apr. 2025
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Throughout the footage, Leah, from Fort Worth, Texas, can be seen fussing Lunch Box and fawning over her sweet foster pup.—
Alyce Collins,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 May 2025
Noun
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That objection gained force with the rise of Japan.—
Daniel Immerwahr,
New Yorker,
16 June 2025
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The ban would make permanent temporary emergency regulations enacted last year over the objections of hemp business operators, who argue that the rules threaten the viability of California’s hemp industry.—
A.J. Herrington,
Forbes.com,
16 June 2025
Noun
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Nearly 50 people from as far away as Beaumont and Winchester reported feeling the tremor to the agency.—
Daniella Segura,
Sacbee.com,
11 June 2025
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Or methimazole, which has brought relief and stability to women living with Graves’ disease, a thyroid disorder that can cause everything from tremors to heart complications.—
Christine Brennan,
Boston Herald,
31 May 2025
Verb
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There may be more to it and perhaps PCS will nitpick.—
Janhoi McGregor,
Forbes.com,
24 June 2025
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The defense nitpicked at different parts of the evidence charts, noting that some sections were lacking.—
NBC News,
NBC news,
17 June 2025
Noun
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The governor’s announcement mirrors attempts by other states to reshape their health, with Stitt saying Oklahoma faces the same challenge in combating childhood obesity across the United States.—
Asher Notheis,
The Washington Examiner,
26 June 2025
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Fashion for Good recently published an article that examines the environmental challenges of denim production and provides alternatives for more circular systems.—
Angela Velasquez,
Sourcing Journal,
26 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Niggle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/niggle. Accessed 30 Jun. 2025.
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