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.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
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
-
Even Hakimi didn't complain, instead giving van de Ven a dap of respect.
-
The document complains about trade, customs officers, juryless courts, and judges’ salaries.
Noun
-
Still, this is a small quibble next to the accomplishment of this book.
-
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.
Noun
-
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.
-
Still, other board members had qualms going into the meeting on specific contract renewals.
Verb
-
Yes, teaching by example is often a better way of handling a challenge than fussing about it.
-
No need to fuss-up something that's just as delicious prepared simply.
Noun
-
When New England became a stop on major international trade routes, the multicultural floodgates opened and Puritan objections to things like fashion, elaborate design, lavish displays of wealth and other things deemed excessive were being continually, casually challenged.
-
On Tuesday, the ELPC and other environmental groups sued the EPA over its slow response to objections to the Gary permit.
Noun
-
Are the foundations laid in 1776 and 1789 still strong enough and sound enough to resist the tremors of our times?
-
The tremor appeared to be centered near Bel Air in Harford County, an area not known for frequent seismic activity.
Verb
-
And the backdrop of worldwide unrest and escalating nuclear threat is subtle to a fault, though that’s just nitpicking.
-
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.
Noun
-
Councilwoman Deborah Peoples hosted a Mosier Valley Community meeting at Texas Star Conference Center in Euless on Wednesday evening to provide an update on the progress and plans for Mosier Valley Park, which has faced delays and funding challenges since 2014.
-
Those also include new regulations on mail-in voting that are likewise facing legal challenges.
Cite this Entry
“Niggle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/niggle. Accessed 30 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
