Synonyms for niggle

Most common

petty-fog · squabble · bicker · brabble · nitpick · cavil · fuss · nibble

Synonyms by meaning

Verb

Noun

Definitions

1. v. 1

   To dwell too much on minor points or on trifling details.

2. v. 2

   To use, spend, or do in a petty or trifling manner.

3. v. 3

   To fidget, fiddle, be restless.

4. n. 1

   A minor complaint or problem.

Related words

Word family

niggler niggly

Forms

Plural

niggles → quibbles…

Past participle

niggled
e.g. niggled → petty-fogged, squabbled, bickered, brabbled…

Example sentences

• squabble The diplomatic squabble flared into an open war.
• bicker The two siblings bicker without reason.
• nitpick Please don't nitpick just for the sake of nitpicking.
• cavil He was known to cavil at most of Tom's proposals.

Popularity over time

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

By length

4 letters

fuss¹, fret¹

5 letters

cavil

6 letters

nibble², bicker²

7 letters

quibble², nitpick², brabble

8 letters

squabble²

The small number after each word is its number of syllables (nibble² = 2 syllables).