quibble

American  

[kwib-uhl] / ˈkwɪb əl /

noun

1. an instance of the use of ambiguous, prevaricating, or irrelevant language or arguments to evade a point at issue.

   Synonyms:

   ambiguity, shift, sophism, equivocation, evasion

2. the general use of such arguments.

3. petty or carping criticism; a minor objection.

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verb (used without object)

quibbled, quibbling

1. to equivocate.

2. to carp; cavil.

quibble British  

/ ˈkwɪbəl /

verb

1. to make trivial objections; prevaricate

2. archaic to play on words; pun

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noun

1. a trivial objection or equivocation, esp one used to avoid an issue

2. archaic a pun

Other Word Forms

• outquibble verb (used with object)
• quibbler noun
• quibbling adjective
• quibblingly adverb

Etymology

Origin of quibble

1605–15; perhaps derivative ( -le ) of quib gibe, apparently akin to quip

Example Sentences

Many will quibble with the Georgia Senate’s income tax relief plan, and the Journal has provided helpful guidance for how the proposal could be improved as it moves through the legislative process.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 22, 2026

The only quibble is the show primarily runs on weekends only.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 19, 2025

But this is a minor quibble for a film that, like the “Nebraska” album itself, rightly dares to elevate the making of a solo acoustic record into high art.

From Salon • Oct. 24, 2025

The funny thing is that while we quibble about these products that may or may not work, there’s one tried-and-true product that guarantees good skin: sunscreen, whose only sin is not being sexy enough.

From Slate • May 4, 2025

A quibble arose concerning the phrase “break out.”

From "The Call of the Wild" by Jack London

Related Words

• bicker
• carp
• spar
• squabble
• waffle
• wrangle