nitpick

American  

[nit-pik] / ˈnɪtˌpɪk /

Or nit-pick

verb (used without object)

1. to be excessively concerned with or critical of inconsequential details.

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verb (used with object)

1. to criticize by focusing on inconsequential details.

noun

1. a carping, petty criticism.

adjective

1. Also nitpicky of, relating to, or characteristic of a person who nitpicks.

   a nitpick review of the miniseries.

Etymology

Origin of nitpick

First recorded in 1965–70; nit ¹ + pick ¹

Example Sentences

Some pretended to be difficult customers to allow the waitstaff to rehearse for future nitpicking.

From The Wall Street Journal

"One day of rehearsals and we're really in sync. Then we nitpick the rest."

From BBC

But all cynicism and nitpicking aside, it is admittedly fascinating to see Swift sit down for an extended period to talk about her life and career.

From Salon

After six years of hold-ups and redesigns on that project — due, he said, to townsfolk endlessly nitpicking his plans — he has decided to bail on Carmel.

From Los Angeles Times

Her nitpicking boss chastises her for not overloading her uniform with incongruent buttons, or “flair,” insisting she needs to “express herself.”

From Salon