Synonyms for quibble
- noun
- verb
Most common
dispute squabble pettifoggery equivocation nitpick sophism calembour hextet
Synonyms by meaning
Noun
1. Squabble — an argument or objection based on an ambiguity of wording or similar trivial circumstance; a minor complaint
squabble, dispute, hassle, wrangle, pettifoggery, quarrel, spat, tiff informal
3. Equivocation
equivocation, subtlety, shift, subterfuge, evasion, quirk dated
Other
nitpick, pun, split hairs, double entente, carp, sophism, calembour, hextet
Verb
Other
Definitions
- n. 1
An argument or objection based on an ambiguity of wording or similar trivial circumstance; a minor complaint.
He harped on his quibble about how the dark red paint should be described as carmine rather than burgundy.
- v. 1
To complain or argue in a trivial or petty manner.
They are constantly quibbling over insignificant details.
Related words
- Word family
- quibbler
Example sentences
- dispute Go is a game of dispute and conquest of territory.
- squabble The diplomatic squabble flared into an open war.
- nitpick Please don't nitpick just for the sake of nitpicking.
Popularity over time
| Word | 1850 → 2019 | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| quibble | steady | |
| dispute | steady | |
| squabble | rising | |
| pettifoggery | falling | |
| equivocation | steady | |
| nitpick | rising |
Use in printed books, per decade from 1850 to 2019.
By length
- 3 letters
- pun1
- 4 letters
- spat1, carp1, tiff1
- 5 letters
- shift1, dodge1, evade2, quirk1, cavil
- 6 letters
- hassle2, bicker2, niggle, palter, hextet
- 7 letters
- dispute2, shuffle2, evasion3, quarrel2, wrangle2, nitpick2, sophism, brabble
- 8 letters
- subtlety3, squabble2, quiddity
- 9 letters
- calembour
- 10 letters
- subterfuge3, equivocate4
- 11 letters
- prevaricate4
- 12 letters
- equivocation5, pettifoggery
The small number after each word is its number of syllables (evade2 = 2 syllables).
In other languages
- Français
- argutie
- Español
- argucia
- Deutsch
- Spitzfindigkeit
- Català
- argúcia