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
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
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
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
Verb
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Also requested were documents related to a lawsuit, recently settled for $135,000, claiming Kramer had given an improper assessment of a property and retaliated against an employee who complained.
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Gal and Amora barely know each other, and Jaiden and Caleb have been complaining about one another for the past three days.
Verb
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The defense had argued to delay the hearing, saying in court filings this spring the high volume of discovery meant Robinson’s attorneys would be unable to adequately prepare.
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Proponents argue recordings would solve a long-standing crisis that leaves many proceedings with no verbatim record.
Noun
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For individuals 18 and older, courts generally must approve a qualifying name change within six weeks without holding a hearing or allowing formal objections.
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Much of the objection to using the term comes from Israel's ongoing attacks in Lebanon and Gaza despite ceasefires.
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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Several weeks back, Clark and White were caught bickering during a timeout huddle against the expansion Portland Fire.
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The plot centers on bickering couple Joe and Angela, who invite their noisy upstairs neighbors, Hawk and Piña, for dinner.
Noun
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Defense attorneys argued during the trial that the defendants planned a peaceful protest and noise demonstration with fireworks to show support for people detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
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On the Line is a weekly roundup of sourcing and labor quick hits in the apparel and footwear industry, from worker protests to boardroom maneuvering, tracking the developments shaping conditions on the factory floor and beyond.
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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Two firefighters died from injures sustained while fighting the blaze.
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The action is set in the 1750s with Washington as a young man eager to fight, initially as a British officer in a period of complex loyalties.
Cite this Entry
“Quibble.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/quibble. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.
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