nitpick

or nit-pick

[nit-pik]

See more synonyms for nitpick on Thesaurus.com

verb (used without object)

to be excessively concerned with or critical of inconsequential details.

verb (used with object)

to criticize by focusing on inconsequential details.

noun

a carping, petty criticism.

adjective

of, relating to, or characteristic of a nitpicker or nitpicking.

Origin of nitpick

First recorded in 1965–70; nit¹ + pick¹

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words for nit-picking

pompous, stilted, abstruse, demure, demanding, precise, onerous, stringent, harsh, imperious, strict, painstaking, rigorous, rigid, choosy, squeamish, fastidious, scrupulous, fussy, discriminating

Examples from the Web for nit-picking

Contemporary Examples of nit-picking

Instead, they have unleashed a storm of nit-picking and vilification.
Niall Ferguson Defends Newsweek Cover: Correct This, Bloggers
Niall Ferguson
August 21, 2012
Even after logging countless hours nit-picking her work, there is no one I'd rather spend time with.
15 Love Lessons for Jen... from Jen
Henry Seltzer
February 11, 2009

British Dictionary definitions for nit-picking

nit-picking

noun

a concern with insignificant details, esp with the intention of finding fault

adjective

showing such a concern; fussy

Derived Formsnit-picker, noun

Word Origin for nit-picking

C20: from nit 1 + pick 1

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for nit-picking

nitpick

"seek petty faults," also nit-pick, 1962, back-formation from earlier nitpicker. Related: Nitpicking; nitpicky.