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
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
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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
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Trump has frequently complained that Obama’s deal included the transport of cash from the US to Iran.—
Tal Shalev,
CNN Money,
15 June 2026
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Plus, who can complain when the gorgeous Block Island — which, unlike Rhode Island, is actually an island — is described as New England’s Caribbean?—
Tom Smyth,
Vulture,
15 June 2026
Noun
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Still, this is a small quibble next to the accomplishment of this book.—
John Warner,
Chicago Tribune,
13 June 2026
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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
Noun
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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.—
Alejandro Avila OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
12 June 2026
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Still, other board members had qualms going into the meeting on specific contract renewals.—
Kate Perez,
Chicago Tribune,
10 June 2026
Verb
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No need to fuss-up something that's just as delicious prepared simply.—
Kimberly Holland,
Southern Living,
5 June 2026
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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
Noun
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The most reasonable objection to this view is that resilience returns are too diffuse to underwrite, that avoided losses do not show up in a project’s revenue line the way tolls or tariffs do.—
Ravi S. Bhalla,
Fortune,
13 June 2026
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In reality, his rise happened despite the objections of many party insiders, not because of them.—
Matthew Shelter,
New York Daily News,
13 June 2026
Noun
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Ancheta said there were no immediate reports of casualties, but some people fainted following the strong tremor.—
Kathleen Magramo,
CNN Money,
8 June 2026
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The shaking was also felt in South Dadeland, where at least one building was evacuated after tremors were reported inside.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
8 June 2026
Verb
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And the backdrop of worldwide unrest and escalating nuclear threat is subtle to a fault, though that’s just nitpicking.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
9 June 2026
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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.—
Antonio Morales,
New York Times,
5 June 2026
Noun
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From the early challenge that reversed Wembanyama's foul, to its 3-point shooting, absolutely everything has gone San Antonio's way in Game 4.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
11 June 2026
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The Rockets couldn’t capitalize, however, as the Timberwolves’ pressure near the Reading goal proved to be a challenge all night.—
Matt Goisman,
Boston Herald,
11 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Niggle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/niggle. Accessed 16 Jun. 2026.
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