NITPICKS Synonyms: 43 Similar and Opposite Words

nitpicks

verb

present tense third-person singular of nitpick

as in complains

to make often peevish criticisms or objections about matters that are minor, unimportant, or irrelevant her husband nitpicks about everything: from how she puts the plates away to how she files the bills

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 nitpicks So your first indication of problems can be a client who nitpicks every job, forcing you to return to re-trim the 2-inch patch of sod that the client claims wasn’t properly manicured. — Kathy Kristof, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Jan. 2026 But Brian constantly nitpicks her purchases. — Kamaron McNair, CNBC, 7 Aug. 2025

Recent Examples of Synonyms for nitpicks

Verb

Her boyfriend Tom Arnold becomes a writer/producer and complains that someone there stole his love letters and sold out his steamy relationship with Roseanne to the National Enquirer.

— Mike Fleming Jr, Deadline, 15 Oct. 2026
Parent complains about the circumstances Lechner sent an email to the athletic director two days later asking whether a transgender student had participated in the game, and whether that student had access to the same locker room as his daughter.

— Paula Wethington, CBS News, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of complains

Verb

Sam makes a production out of teasing them, mock-reaching for various items on the set as the whole group moans and wails in distress.

— Tasha Robinson, Vulture, 8 Sep. 2026
Endo is the sixth choice midfielder and someone who never moans about his place in the pecking order.

— James Pearce, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of moans

Browse Nearby Words

nitpicking

nitpicks

nitpicky

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Nitpicks.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nitpicks. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of nitpicks

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

milieu

Popular in Grammar & Usage

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Why do we 'bury the lede?'

'Za' and 9 Other Words to Help You Win at SCRABBLE

Popular

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes