1
as in to complain
to make often peevish criticisms or objections about matters that are minor, unimportant, or irrelevant
he spent the entire evening quibbling about the historical inaccuracies in the television series on World War II
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to argue
to express different opinions about something often angrily
don't quibble over who gets to sit in front
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in objection
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of quibble
Angela Palermo,
Idaho Statesman,
5 Mar. 2026
Some trustees saw the enforcement approach as reasonable and quibbled with the details, while others wanted Wilmette to go much further in its restrictions.
—
Shun Graves,
Chicago Tribune,
4 Feb. 2026
Todd Martens,
Boston Herald,
30 Nov. 2025
Culinary connectedness The latest durian quibble reflects a broader debate over national foods across Nusantara—which refers to the Malay Archipelago, extending across Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei, Timor-Leste, and the Philippines.
—
Miranda Jeyaretnam,
Time,
21 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for quibble
Verb
During a debate Tuesday, some lawmakers quibbled over whether the bill would infringe on the free market.
—
Angela Palermo,
Idaho Statesman,
5 Mar. 2026
Some trustees saw the enforcement approach as reasonable and quibbled with the details, while others wanted Wilmette to go much further in its restrictions.
—
Shun Graves,
Chicago Tribune,
4 Feb. 2026
Noun
The only quibble is the show primarily runs on weekends only.
—
Todd Martens,
Boston Herald,
30 Nov. 2025
Culinary connectedness The latest durian quibble reflects a broader debate over national foods across Nusantara—which refers to the Malay Archipelago, extending across Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei, Timor-Leste, and the Philippines.
—
Miranda Jeyaretnam,
Time,
21 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for quibble
Recent Examples of Synonyms for quibble
Verb
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Even Hakimi didn't complain, instead giving van de Ven a dap of respect.
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The document complains about trade, customs officers, juryless courts, and judges’ salaries.
Verb
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Srebnick, however, argued that the crash was a tragic accident — and did not amount to a crime.
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While some experts say the government should be involved in conversations about AI safety, others argue the result could stifle the industry.
Noun
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When New England became a stop on major international trade routes, the multicultural floodgates opened and Puritan objections to things like fashion, elaborate design, lavish displays of wealth and other things deemed excessive were being continually, casually challenged.
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On Tuesday, the ELPC and other environmental groups sued the EPA over its slow response to objections to the Gary permit.
Verb
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Tucker even nitpicked the nine-pitch at-bat that ended in the pull-side homer.
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And the backdrop of worldwide unrest and escalating nuclear threat is subtle to a fault, though that’s just nitpicking.
Verb
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King bickered with fans on social media.
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But Tilly and Gershon playfully bickered onstage as the former remembered things slightly differently, with Tilly saying the problem had more to do with a shot of her hand on Gershon's crotch that was deemed too realistic.
Noun
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Her death sparked weeks of protests nationwide, calling for an end to an increase in immigration enforcement actions.
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That month, a protest was held outside a classroom in Sweeney Hall where a guest lecturer, Jeffrey Blutinger, was speaking about the war.
Verb
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Yes, teaching by example is often a better way of handling a challenge than fussing about it.
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No need to fuss-up something that's just as delicious prepared simply.
Verb
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Utah restricted fireworks and declared a state of emergency Friday ahead of July Fourth celebrations as the United States' largest wildfire expanded its reach across more tinder-dry forest, as crews rush to fight new blazes in the arid state.
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Plata was fighting a pretty strong German defense and a hold on his jersey to get up there.
Cite this Entry
“Quibble.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/quibble. Accessed 2 Jul. 2026.
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