Synonyms for fiddling

Most common

petty · niggling · piddling · lilliputian

Synonyms by meaning

Adjective

Noun

Definitions

1. adj. 1

   Of petty or trivial importance; footling

   It was a fiddling little fault, but ultimately proved disastrous.

2. n. 1

   Tweaking; manipulation.

Forms

Plural

fiddlings

Example sentences

• petty Sami started getting into trouble for petty theft.
• niggling I'm fed up with your constant niggling, Mary.

Popularity over time

Use in printed books, per decade from 1850 to 2019.

By length

5 letters

petty²

6 letters

little²

7 letters

trivial³

8 letters

trifling², picayune³, niggling, piddling³, footling, piffling, tweakery, fiddlery

11 letters

lilliputian⁴

The small number after each word is its number of syllables (petty² = 2 syllables).