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cav·il
 cavil
- pronunciation:
- kae
v
 l
- parts of speech:
- intransitive verb, transitive verb, noun
| part of speech: |
intransitive verb |
| inflections: |
caviled, caviling, cavils |
| definition: |
to make petty criticisms or objections; carp (usu. fol. by at or about).
He tried to discuss his plans with his father in private, knowing his mother's tendency to cavil.- synonyms:
- carp, nitpick, pick, quibble
- similar words:
- bicker, crab, haggle, nag, niggle
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| related words: |
fuss, gripe |
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| part of speech: |
transitive verb |
| definition: |
to raise petty objections to; quibble about.
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| related words: |
criticize, nag |
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| part of speech: |
noun |
| definition: |
a petty and irritating objection.
- synonyms:
- quibble
- similar words:
- beef, bellyache, bitch, gripe
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| related words: |
complaint, grievance, haggle, objection |
| derivations: |
cavilingly (adv.), caviler (n.) |
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