carping

American  

[kahr-ping] / ˈkɑr pɪŋ /

adjective

1. characterized by fussy or petulant faultfinding; querulous.

   carping criticism.

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noun

1. petty faultfinding.

ˈcarping British  

/ ˈkɑːpɪŋ /

adjective

1. tending to make petty complaints; fault-finding

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Other Word Forms

• carpingly adverb

Etymology

Origin of carping

1275–1325; Middle English (noun); carp ¹, -ing ², -ing ¹

Example Sentences

Whether the mark is worth hitting is another matter; a comic duet that pits aging, carping viragos against each other in the manner of “Bosom Buddies” from “Mame” is not perhaps a feminist anthem.

From New York Times

Standing up for D.C.’s democratic autonomy against carping Republicans in Congress would have been the right thing to do, and most House Democrats voted against rescinding the code.

From Washington Post

For some reason, mask mandates have been the target of more overheated carping by right-wingers about anti-COVID measures than almost anything else, vaccines aside.

From Los Angeles Times

It’s that Democrats are the only thing standing in the way of an authoritarian takeover of the United States — and this is no time to be carping over trifles.

From Washington Post

GOP leaders, while still carping about the border chaos, no longer place it among the top issues for voters, instead pointing to inflation, government spending and tax policy.

From Washington Times