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niggle 1 of 2

verb

ˈni-gəl How to pronounce niggle (audio)
Definition of nigglenext
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

niggle

2 of 2

noun

chiefly British
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
Verb
Henry dismisses Yasmin but can’t shake the niggling feeling that his wife isn’t entirely wrong. — Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 16 Feb. 2026 Eda knew from experience that with too much time to think came the niggling whispers of common sense. — Carly Tagen-Dye, PEOPLE, 22 Jan. 2026
Noun
Williamson played her first 90 minutes in the Women’s Super League in January but has struggled to play consecutive full 90-minute games for her club this season due to minor niggles. — James McNicholas, New York Times, 28 Apr. 2026 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
  1. complain
  2. quibble
  3. qualm
  4. fuss
  5. objection
  6. tremor
  7. nitpick
  8. challenge
Verb
  • Well of course weren’t going to complain about getting to see Reba!
    — Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 15 Sep. 2026
  • Karen Khachanov complained about it after Zverev beat him in the semifinals.
    — Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2026
Definition of complain
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
Definition of quibble
Noun
  • One of the only qualms was the price tag, but a $1,200 markdown pretty much renders that moot.
    — Kelsey Fogarty, PC Magazine, 8 Sep. 2026
  • Asian families are used to dealing with ministries through their businesses, and thus see few qualms in doing so again through their charities.
    — Nicholas Gordon, Fortune, 7 Sep. 2026
Definition of qualm
Verb
  • Perhaps only a pedant—or a hypocrite—would fuss about that kind of imprecision.
    — Louisa Thomas, New Yorker, 6 Sep. 2026
  • If the offensive line’s healthy again, RB Saquon Barkley will ramble again, broadening QB Jalen Hurts’ margin for error and being fussed at by the coaching staff.
    — David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of fuss
Noun
  • Reddington said his first priority is arguing later this month that a retrial would violate Clancy's constitutional protection against double jeopardy because the mistrial was declared over the defense's objection.
    — Bryan Llenas , Brittany Miller, FOXNews.com, 10 Sep. 2026
  • And that is the undercurrent to me of any objections towards physicality in women's pro-athletics because a lot of people don't believe women should be playing professional sports as is.
    — Sam Fragoso, NPR, 10 Sep. 2026
Definition of objection
Noun
  • Parkinson’s disease is a condition characterized by tremors, muscle rigidity, and problems with balance.
    — Mike McRae September 10, New Atlas, 10 Sep. 2026
  • None of Tuesday's eruptions could be observed visually because the volcano was shrouded in dense fog, but all four events were confirmed by seismographs that recorded volcanic tremors, the agency said.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 7 Sep. 2026
Definition of tremor
Verb
  • But on a night where there was little to nitpick, the Trojans weren’t exactly efficient on the ground.
    — Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 5 Sep. 2026
  • This can lead to nitpicking as opposed to harnessing important details that can lead to practical solutions.
    — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of nitpick
Noun
  • Rising costs, complex permitting processes, and infrastructure challenges have made the city less competitive even for productions that want to stay local.
    — Sam Roseme, HollywoodReporter, 5 Sep. 2026
  • Winning the primary, surviving the general Nationalization presents perhaps its biggest challenge during the transition from a primary to a general election.
    — Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of challenge

Browse Nearby Words

nifty
niggle
niggled
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Cite this Entry

“Niggle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/niggle. Accessed 16 Sep. 2026.

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