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.
-
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.
Warsh quibbled with the framing and retreated to a milder version of his earlier argument, describing the current moment as “the most disruptive moment in modern economic history.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 21, 2026
Close hasn’t quibbled with her team’s seeding despite its impressive 31-1 regular-season record against a loaded schedule.
From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 24, 2026
Researchers quibbled with the terminology, but that was essentially what had happened.
From Slate ● Jan. 27, 2024
I don't think anyone would have quibbled at all.
From BBC ● Oct. 29, 2023
They always quibbled, but actually they were very close—closer than most brothers and sisters.
From "In Cold Blood" by Truman Capote
