quibble 1 of 2

verb

ˈkwi-bəl How to pronounce quibble (audio)
Definition of quibblenext
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

quibble

2 of 2

noun

as in objection

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Dissimilar 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 quibble
Verb
The story that’s being quibbled about concerns a teen suicide. — Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 21 Apr. 2026 While facelift surgeons quibble over semantics and what truly distinguishes one method from another, ultimately, all modern facelifts adjust the SMAS (muscle layer) in some way. — Jolene Edgar, Allure, 16 Mar. 2026
Noun
Something’s lost in the translation, but with dazzling costumes, hyper-energetic singing and dancing and joyful spirit filling the Nederlander, quibbles end up banished beyond the flats. — Greg Evans, Deadline, 20 Apr. 2026 One small quibble — in Greece, a classic salad does not contain lettuce. — Jess Fleming, Twin Cities, 9 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for quibble
Recent Examples of Synonyms for quibble
  1. complain
  2. argue
  3. objection
  4. nitpick
  5. bicker
  6. protest
  7. fuss
  8. fight
Verb
  • Some users have complained on social media that the agent accessed personal messages without authorization, which the company has disputed.
    — Jonathan Vanian, CNBC, 12 Oct. 2026
  • In a 2023 memorandum obtained by Fox News Digital, Detroit Mayor Mary Sheffield, who was then serving as the city council president, said residents complained about rodent infestations during a community meeting.
    — Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of complain
Verb
  • But the Amazon and Blue Origin founder argues that some politicians are blaming the wrong culprit.
    — Bilin Lin, Fortune, 12 Oct. 2026
  • Canary Islands Film director Natacha Mora argues that the challenge is to balance international production growth with the capacity of the local industry and infrastructure.
    — Emiliano de Pablos, Variety, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of argue
Noun
  • Miltenberg’s objection centers on comments James made before her office was appointed to lead the criminal investigation.
    — Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 5 Oct. 2026
  • As for the constant chatter about the unwelcome safety tech, Roma said the objections may be exaggerated.
    — Morgan Korn, ABC News, 4 Oct. 2026
Definition of objection
Verb
  • After decades of debate — and months of nitpicking a draft map released earlier this year — every house, business and government building was assigned its final number in September.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 9 Oct. 2026
  • This can lead to nitpicking as opposed to harnessing important details that can lead to practical solutions.
    — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of nitpick
Verb
  • The two of them together, just 17 months apart, shared playlists, bickered over where to stop during Apple CarPlay calls, pulled up beside me and faded away with silly faces, encapsulating 20 years of my life in my rearview mirror.
    — Robert Duffer, AJC.com, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Like law enforcement agents everywhere, they’re disposed to bickering about jurisdiction or pumping each other for off-limits information.
    — Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 21 Sep. 2026
Definition of bicker
Noun
  • Annie Vinatieri, a Sugarloaf Township protester, observed that the data center opponents are a combination of working, middle, and upper classes, mostly white, but definitely nonpartisan, including many who are new to environmental protests.
    — Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 11 Oct. 2026
  • Thousands of people marched through central Brussels in a protest that was largely peaceful, although some scuffles broke out with police, who used tear gas and water cannons in some instances.
    — Makini Brice, Arkansas Online, 10 Oct. 2026
Definition of protest
Verb
  • Perhaps only a pedant—or a hypocrite—would fuss about that kind of imprecision.
    — Louisa Thomas, New Yorker, 6 Sep. 2026
  • If the offensive line’s healthy again, RB Saquon Barkley will ramble again, broadening QB Jalen Hurts’ margin for error and being fussed at by the coaching staff.
    — David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of fuss
Verb
  • Her body was found while clearing rubble and fighting a fire at the site, Tymur Tkachenko, head of the regional military administration, said Friday.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 10 Oct. 2026
  • Eventually, Ley hopes, the results could help fight this side effect of vaccines and, by extension, encourage higher vaccination rates.
    — Jackie Flynn Mogensen, Scientific American, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of fight

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quibble
quibbled
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Cite this Entry

“Quibble.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/quibble. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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