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cavil

cav·il

cavil

 
 
pronunciation:
kae vl
parts of speech:
intransitive verb, transitive verb, noun
features:
Word Combinations (verb)
part of speech: intransitive verb
inflections: cavils, caviling, caviled
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.Senators of the opposite party caviled at the plan put forward by the junior senator.
synonyms:
carp, nitpick, pick, quibble
similar words:
bicker, crab, haggle, nag, niggle
 
part of speech: transitive verb
definition: to raise petty objections to; quibble about.
Word CombinationsSubscriber feature About this feature
 
part of speech: noun
definition: a petty and irritating objection.
synonyms:
quibble
similar words:
beef, bellyache, bitch, gripe
derivations: cavilingly (adv.), caviler (n.)