Quibble — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb noun /ˈkwi-bəl/ quib·ble

Meaning & Definition of Quibble

Quibble (verb)

  1. to evade the point of an argument by caviling about words
  2. cavil, carp
  3. bicker

Quibble (noun)

  1. an evasion of or shift from the point
  2. a minor objection or criticism

Quibble (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. 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"

    similar: carp, cavil, fuss, niggle, nitpick, split hairs
    related: criticize, fault, beef, bellyache, bitch, complain, crab, croak, gripe, grouse, growl, grumble, kick, kvetch, moan, squawk, squeal, wail, whimper, whine, yammer, yawp, yowl, murmur, mutter
    near: applaud, commend, compliment, praise, recommend, approve, back, champion, endorse, support

  2. to express different opinions about something often angrily

    "don't quibble over who gets to sit in front"

    similar: altercate, argue, argufy, bicker, brabble, brawl, controvert, dispute, fall out, fight, hassle, jar, quarrel, row, scrap, spat, squabble, tiff, wrangle, bandy words, butt heads, lock horns, mix it up
    related: challenge, dare, defy, clash, contend, contest, tangle, cavil, fuss, nitpick, consider, debate, discuss, kick, object, protest
    near: coexist, get along, accept, agree, assent, concur, consent

Quibble (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. as in niggle, objection

    similar: challenge, demur, expostulation, kick, niggle (chiefly British), objection, protest, remonstrance, stink, beef, bitch, bleat, carp, complaint, fuss, grievance, gripe, grouch, grouse, grumble, holler, kvetch, lament, miserere, moan, murmur, plaint, squawk, wail, whimper, whine, whinge (British), yammer
    opposite: commendation, compliment, plaudit, acclaim, applause, praise, approval, endorsement, sanction

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Quibble

The most common words with a similar meaning to Quibble:

Chiefly British: niggle
British: whinge
carp, cavil, fuss, nitpick, altercate, argue, argufy, bicker, brabble, brawl, controvert, dispute, fall out, fight, hassle, jar, quarrel, row, scrap, spat, squabble, tiff, wrangle, split hairs, bandy words, butt heads, lock horns, mix it up, challenge, demur, expostulation, kick, objection, protest, remonstrance, stink, beef, bitch, bleat, complaint

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Quibble

Words with the opposite meaning of Quibble:

commendation, compliment, plaudit, acclaim, applause, praise, approval, endorsement, sanction

Related Words for Quibble

criticize, fault, bellyache, complain, crab, croak, growl, squeal, yawp, yowl, mutter, dare, defy, clash, contend, contest, tangle, consider, debate, discuss, object

Near Antonyms of Quibble

applaud, commend, recommend, approve, back, champion, endorse, support, coexist, get along, accept, agree, assent, concur, consent

Word Forms of Quibble

Inflections: quibbled, quibbling

Derived words: quibbler (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Quibble

probably diminutive of obsolete quib quibble

First known use: 1665i

Frequently Asked Questions about Quibble

What does "Quibble" mean?

"Quibble" means to evade the point of an argument by caviling about words. As an a verb and a noun, it is defined as: to evade the point of an argument by caviling about words. It has 3 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Quibble"?

Other words for "Quibble" include carp, cavil, fuss, niggle, nitpick, altercate, argue and argufy. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Quibble" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Quibble"?

There are 80 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Quibble". Common alternatives include carp, cavil, fuss, niggle, nitpick, altercate, argue, argufy, bicker and brabble.

What is the opposite of "Quibble"?

Antonyms of "Quibble" include commendation, compliment, plaudit, acclaim, applause, praise, approval and endorsement. Near antonyms include applaud, commend, recommend and approve.

How do you use "Quibble" in a sentence?

Examples of "Quibble" in a sentence: "he spent the entire evening quibbling about the historical inaccuracies in the television series on World War II"; "don't quibble over who gets to sit in front".

Is "Quibble" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Quibble" can be used as a verb and a noun, depending on the context.

How do you pronounce "Quibble"?

"Quibble" is pronounced /ˈkwi-bəl/ and divided into syllables as quib·ble.

What is the origin of the word "Quibble"?

"Quibble" comes from probably diminutive of obsolete quib quibble. First known use: 1665i.