quibble
noun
an instance of the use of ambiguous, prevaricating, or irrelevant language or arguments to evade a point at issue.
quibbled
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past participleof quibble.past participle
A verb form used in perfect and passive verb constructions and that can also function as a modifier.
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past tense formof quibble.past tense
Used to describe completed actions or previous habitual actions.
quibblenounan instance of the use of ambiguous, prevaricating, or irrelevant language or arguments to evade a point at issue.
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.
Other experts have quibbled with certain details, questioning the plausibility of a “bolt from the blue” attack or noting that the U.S. would almost certainly launch many more interceptors.
From Slate ● Mar. 13, 2026
He quibbled that the control group in Moderna’s late-stage trial didn’t receive the “best-available standard of care.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 11, 2026
"They sent the money right out. They never quibbled anything, they've been brilliant."
From BBC ● Feb. 12, 2024
A lot of people on Twitter, desperate to muddy the waters around this, quibbled with the phrase "made fun," arguing that many of these people, uh, merely "asked questions" about the attack.
From Salon ● Jan. 31, 2023
Danny and Joe chattered, quibbled, and stuffed their mouths, oblivious to the tension in the air.
From "The Red Car to Hollywood" by Jennie Liu
