quibble
noun
an instance of the use of ambiguous, prevaricating, or irrelevant language or arguments to evade a point at issue.
have been quibbling
-
present perfect progressiveof quibble.present perfect progressive
Used to describe an action that began in the past, has continued continuously, and is still in progress.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
It is against that backdrop, however, that researchers have been quibbling about other potential causes of rapid planetary warming.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 8, 2023
Lawmakers have been quibbling over the details of hands-free driving legislation for the better part of a year.
From Washington Times ● Nov. 15, 2019
For weeks, East Germany's Communists have been quibbling over details of the much-discussed speakers' exchange to debate East-West problems with the West German Social Democrats.
From Time Magazine Archive
Ford and the union reached a strike-free national settlement in September, but have been quibbling ever since over local nonwage issues.
From Time Magazine Archive
