1
as in lawyer
Related Words
Relevance
2
as in quibbler
Related 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 pettifogger
For nearly three years now, I’ve been fascinated by the performance art of this blustering pettifogger.
—
Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 17 May 2023
Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 17 May 2023
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pettifogger
Noun
-
The group contains multiple doctors and lawyers.—
R. Eric Thomas,
Washington Post,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Horner’s mother was one of the first defense witnesses to testify last week as Horner’s lawyers try to convince the jury that he should be sentenced to life in prison without parole instead of the death penalty.—
Amy McDaniel,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The bubble-ists think that the Coreweave people are hopeless dreamers at best and shysters at worst.—
Jim Cramer,
CNBC,
28 Sep. 2025
-
To demonstrate that point in a video, a researcher told a robot arm to put a bunch of plastic grapes into a clear Tupperware container, then proceeded to shift three containers around on the table in an approximation of a shyster’s shell game.—
Eliza Strickland,
IEEE Spectrum,
12 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Securing this level of acoustic engineering for 42% off is a massive win for purists and casual listeners alike.—
Juhi Wadia,
PC Magazine,
17 Apr. 2026
-
This turn toward a high-end consumer market — which reflects a broader trend among many retailers to cater to the affluent — hasn’t been without its critics, especially from music purists who view the festival as overly commercial.—
Cerys Davies,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The Orange County district attorney’s office did not immediately return a message seeking comment Wednesday, nor did Yourex’s attorney.—
Andrew J. Campa,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Apr. 2026
-
Netflix has dropped a trailer for its comic superhero series out of Korea, which reunites director Yoo In-sik of Extraordinary Attorney Woo with actor Park Eun-bin, who starred as the titular neurodivergent attorney.—
Jesse Whittock,
Deadline,
22 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The actress puts her Broadway chops to good use as the ambitious perfectionist (and Barbra Streisand obsessive) Rachel Berry on Glee, earning Emmy and Golden Globe nominations for the role.—
James Mercadante,
Entertainment Weekly,
11 Apr. 2026
-
Kurtz said the partners are all perfectionists, and that carries over to their cup quality.—
Jenna Thompson,
Kansas City Star,
3 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pettifogger.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pettifogger. Accessed 28 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
