pettifogging

adjective

Definition of pettifoggingnext
as in slight
old-fashioned worrying too much about details that are minor or not important pettifogging lawyers

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Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for pettifogging
  1. slight
  2. petty
  3. tiny
  4. minute
  5. trifling
  6. trivial
  7. little
  8. piddling
Adjective
  • In 2024, roughly 48,800 Americans died by suicide, a slight decrease from the peak of nearly 49,500 deaths in this manner in 2022.
    — Angie Leventis Lourgos, Chicago Tribune, 5 July 2026
  • Matching trousers stayed narrow through the hips before loosening down the leg into a slight flare.
    — Maggie Clancy, Footwear News, 3 July 2026
Definition of slight
Adjective
  • Less social cohesion A decade ago, crime was infrequent and petty.
    — Joseph J. Gonzalez, The Conversation, 9 July 2026
  • The general reaction to the policy has been overwhelmingly positive, Xue said, aside from some remarks on social media that charging for a smashed teacup was a petty move.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2026
Definition of petty
Adjective
  • Legionnaires’ disease is spread by inhaling tiny water droplets contaminated with Legionella bacteria.
    — Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 10 July 2026
  • Once your cake is baked and cooled, use the back of a piping tip to cut out tiny circles.
    — Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 July 2026
Definition of tiny
Adjective
  • There are so many models out there from so many manufacturers, with minute differences between them.
    — K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 25 June 2026
  • Photos and videos of the interior reveal buccaneer style down to the most minute details, like octopus tentacle door handles.
    — Nicole Blanchard, Idaho Statesman, 24 June 2026
Definition of minute
Adjective
  • In less trifling hands, there’s no telling what these tools could do, are doing now.
    — CHRIS COLIN, Wired News, 18 May 2026
  • Meanwhile, that global temperature record that DiCaprio mentioned in his acceptance speech in 2016 seems almost trifling compared to what has happened since.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 19 Mar. 2026
Definition of trifling
Adjective
  • The aesthetic philosophy runs through every decision, including ones that might seem trivial.
    — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 28 June 2026
  • In reality, the origin is completely trivial.
    — Theodore McDarrah, Forbes.com, 26 June 2026
Definition of trivial
Adjective
  • There may be shitty people afoot in Independence, but not in that little house, not tonight.
    — Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 11 July 2026
  • The Lost Legends videos demonstrate that, as with anything artistic, the talent of creator is crucial to success in AI so, ironically, Hollywood has little to fear from the technology.
    — Caroline Reid, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026
Definition of little
Adjective
  • Then, the pandemic reduced the schedule to 60 games and Eddie got a piddling 37%.
    — Star Tribune, Star Tribune, 3 Dec. 2020
  • Millions of additional claims are expected to stream in from around the country over the coming weeks, while hiring remains piddling.
    — Patricia Cohen, New York Times, 23 Apr. 2020
Definition of piddling
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

pettifoggers
pettifogging
pettiness
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Cite this Entry

“Pettifogging.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pettifogging. Accessed 12 Jul. 2026.

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