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
George Caulkin, New York Times, 11 Feb. 2026
Later though, the conversation niggled at me.
—Rachel Linden, PEOPLE, 4 Oct. 2025
Daniella Gray, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Oct. 2025
For example, experiencing a consistent niggle in your hip while running may actually be due to pelvic floor dysfunction.
—Jordan Smith, Outside, 11 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for niggle
Verb
There are niggling, nagging, familiar concerns, like not taking chances, like being hit on the counter, but our section erupts when Willock scores and then erupts again when his goal is ruled out.
—George Caulkin, New York Times, 11 Feb. 2026
Later though, the conversation niggled at me.
—Rachel Linden, PEOPLE, 4 Oct. 2025
Noun
The last thing new parents need is an injury or niggle, but for those who are keen to start clocking up the miles, a new study offers some surprising reassurance: running with a stroller may actually lower the risk of injury.
—Daniella Gray, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Oct. 2025
For example, experiencing a consistent niggle in your hip while running may actually be due to pelvic floor dysfunction.
—Jordan Smith, Outside, 11 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for niggle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for niggle
Verb
-
One of the hosts yelled repeatedly about the results, complained about just about everything and dropped a lot of F-bombs.—
Jacobina Martin,
Washington Post,
16 Mar. 2026
-
Some workers complain that receiving calls and messages can interrupt their recordings, and having a phone strapped to their head is uncomfortable.—
NILESH CHRISTOPHER LOS ANGELES TIMES,
Arkansas Online,
15 Mar. 2026
Noun
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These are quibbles with a place whose essential proposition, privacy at a scale that no longer exists elsewhere in the Caribbean, remains effective.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
25 Feb. 2026
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Sure, there are some quibbles with the 10 best picture nominees.—
Bill Goodykoontz,
AZCentral.com,
28 Jan. 2026
Noun
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But ultimately, the Church’s key qualm is rooted in spirituality.—
Marci Robin,
Allure,
6 Mar. 2026
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The president’s decision to order strikes against Iran and other key locations was mostly supported by Republican lawmakers, though there have been some qualms about the potential for ground troops to be used, something Trump has not ruled out.—
Tara Suter,
The Hill,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Ever the dedicated mother, Stacy runs to her adult daughter’s aid, fussing at her for not using a driver for her errands.—
Aramide Tinubu,
Variety,
13 Mar. 2026
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The crime went unsolved for many years, prompting Mason to start making this movie in the early 2000s, and the immediate conclusion to jump to is that the LAPD maybe wasn’t too fussed about it.—
Damon Wise,
Deadline,
13 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The lawsuit claims jailers forced her to remove the covering despite her religious objections.—
Daniel Wilkerson,
CBS News,
15 Mar. 2026
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Eighteen-year-olds are adults and can request euthanasia even over family objections.—
Charles Lane,
The Atlantic,
15 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Just a nibble on a leaf or petal can lead to rapid kidney damage with loss of appetite, vomiting, hypersalivation, lethargy and sometimes neurological signs such as stumbling, tremors and seizures.—
The Washington Post,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
14 Mar. 2026
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Symptoms of bird flu in mammals include tremors, convulsions, seizures and muscle weakness.—
Susanne Rust
Follow,
Los Angeles Times,
12 Mar. 2026
Verb
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But when analysts compare him to Peterson and Dybantsa — and are forced to nitpick — there are questions about Boozer’s ceiling as a pro player.—
Rohan Nadkarni,
NBC news,
18 Mar. 2026
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As a dominant team, the Bruins have to nitpick at times to find areas of to improve.—
Marisa Ingemi,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Mar. 2026
Noun
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According to the team, challenges remain as high costs and demanding laser requirements limit widespread adoption.—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
19 Mar. 2026
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The Fiscal Council, an independent body monitoring public finances, noted recently that the ministry under Miralles allowed 26 laws from Congress to pass without challenge, resulting in significantly higher government spending.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
19 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Niggle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/niggle. Accessed 20 Mar. 2026.
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