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
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
2
as in qualm
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of niggle
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
Andy Naylor, The Athletic, 9 Feb. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for niggle
Verb
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
Noun
That has been due to niggling injury issues, rather than a reflection of the quality of his contributions.
—Andy Naylor, The Athletic, 9 Feb. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for niggle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for niggle
Verb
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A number of Tesla shareholders, including some Democrats who oversee the investment of public sector pension fund money in Tesla stock, complained in May to Tesla Board Chair Robyn Denholm that Musk’s other activities are hurting the company.—
Chris Isidore,
CNN Money,
14 July 2025
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Trump has complained about the EU's $231 billion trade surplus in goods, which shows Americans buy more goods from European businesses than the other way around.—
arkansasonline.com,
arkansasonline.com,
13 July 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,
24 June 2025
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No quibbles here though with seeing Jonathan Groff as Bobby Darin, one of the great highlights of the Broadway season and a performance America deserves to witness on Sunday night, especially since Groff may win his second Tony in a row.—
Chris Jones,
New York Daily News,
7 June 2025
Noun
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Despite the many trade qualms Trump has broadcast as having with the European Union, prompting him to threaten higher tariffs on several occasions, the trading bloc appears to have not received a letter from him.—
Elisabeth Buchwald,
CNN Money,
7 July 2025
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But Guerin has no qualms about missing Friday’s first round in order to get Jiricek in green and red.—
Jess Myers,
Twin Cities,
26 June 2025
Verb
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Vodka just keeps things boozy without fussing too much with the flavor.—
Emily Price,
Forbes.com,
3 July 2025
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Sleep regressions refer to periods when a baby who previously slept well suddenly begins waking frequently, fussing more, or resisting bedtime.—
Lucy Notarantonio,
MSNBC Newsweek,
19 May 2025
Noun
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His objection automatically ended debate, per Council rules, and led Council President Ruthzee Louijeune, who spoke favorably of the resolution, to send it to the Committee on Civil Rights, Immigrant Advancement and Racial Equity.—
Gayla Cawley,
Boston Herald,
10 July 2025
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Combs' legal team proposed probation officials provide a pre-sentence investigation report by August 29, with objections filed by his attorneys by September 5.—
Joshua Rhett Miller,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 July 2025
Noun
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Ingesting just 1 to 2 milligrams — less than what’s inside a single regular-strength pouch — can cause nausea, vomiting and tremors, among other serious symptoms, according to the National Library of Medicine.—
Jeffrey Kopp,
CNN Money,
14 July 2025
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Symptoms can range from muscle twitching and tremors to confusion, irregular heartbeats, and, in severe cases, seizures or coma.—
Patricia Weiser,
Verywell Health,
14 July 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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Chesky admits that remaining composed while covering these tragedies has been a challenge for him, especially as the father of a 2-year-old daughter, Eleanor.—
Rachel McRady,
People.com,
8 July 2025
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Boise applied to the challenge with the idea of taking the city’s existing geothermal heating system to provide a solution to high utility costs in affordable housing downtown.—
Idaho Statesman,
Idaho Statesman,
8 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Niggle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/niggle. Accessed 21 Jul. 2025.
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