niggles 1 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of niggle
as in complains
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

niggles

2 of 2

noun

plural of niggle, chiefly British
1
as in quibbles

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2
as in anxieties

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Dissimilar Words

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for niggles
  1. complains
  2. objections
  3. qualms
  4. moans
  5. challenges
  6. concerns
  7. nitpicks
  8. protests
Verb
  • Shannon basically complains so much that Jenn, a sweet baby angel straight from a Hallmark Christmas movie, offers to change rooms with her.
    — Brian Moylan, Vulture, 14 Aug. 2026
  • The private sector complains that there are jobs but that Indians aren’t skilled enough to be hired.
    — Isaac Chotiner, New Yorker, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of complains
Noun
  • Defense objections were rare, and the prosecution let witnesses be dismissed without redirect questioning after cross-examination.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 17 Aug. 2026
  • The order also authorizes the Justice Department to challenge state vaccine regulations deemed insufficiently respectful of parental objections.
    — The Week US, TheWeek, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of objections
Noun
  • One of our only qualms about these headphones was the hefty $359 asking price.
    — Kelsey Fogarty, PC Magazine, 7 Aug. 2026
  • British publications have fewer qualms, generally, about mocking the dead.
    — Dan Piepenbring, Harpers Magazine, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of qualms
Verb
  • Musselwhite punctuated the music with his harmonica trills and moans while his right knee bounced in time with the rhythms.
    — Kevin McKeough, Chicago Tribune, 7 June 2026
  • As the video continues, one person can be heard yelling her name while the makeup artist moans in pain.
    — Abigail Adams, PEOPLE, 21 May 2026
Definition of moans
Noun
  • The high risk of – and challenges of addressing – oil spills and other safety incidents in the hostile Arctic climate are another dissuading factor, as are environmental costs of operating there.
    — Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2026
  • The incident and conflicting user experiences highlight some of the challenges of relying on smart devices for critical tasks, like ensuring a furry loved one gets food.
    — Scharon Harding, ArsTechnica, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of challenges
Noun
  • Lightning, gusty winds and heavy downpours are the primary concerns.
    — Garfield Hylton, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Data center projects have been shrouded in secrecy and marked by breathtaking indifference to residents’ concerns.
    — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of concerns
Verb
  • So your first indication of problems can be a client who nitpicks every job, forcing you to return to re-trim the 2-inch patch of sod that the client claims wasn’t properly manicured.
    — Kathy Kristof, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Jan. 2026
  • But Brian constantly nitpicks her purchases.
    — Kamaron McNair, CNBC, 7 Aug. 2025
Definition of nitpicks
Noun
  • The revisions have led to protests from Japanese who see the government efforts as an attempt to eliminate Princess Aiko from ruling and justify discrimination against women and a patriarchal system.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Six of the seven individual plaintiffs were ultimately found responsible for violating FIU Regulation 110, which bans protests and other expressive activities inside university buildings.
    — Ana Maria Soler, CBS News, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of protests
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.

Browse Nearby Words

nigglers
niggles
niggles (out)
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Cite this Entry

“Niggles.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/niggles. Accessed 19 Aug. 2026.

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