quibbling

[ kwib-ling ]

/ ˈkwɪb lɪŋ /

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See synonyms for: quibbling / quibblings on Thesaurus.com

adjective

characterized by or consisting of quibbles; carping; niggling: quibbling debates.

noun

the act of a person who quibbles.

an instance of quibbling: a relationship marked by frequent quibblings.

QUIZ

WILL YOU SAIL OR STUMBLE ON THESE GRAMMAR QUESTIONS?

Smoothly step over to these common grammar mistakes that trip many people up. Good luck!

Question 1 of 7

Fill in the blank: I can’t figure out _____ gave me this gift.

Origin of quibbling

First recorded in 1650–60; quibble + -ing², -ing¹

quib·bling·ly, adverbun·quib·bling, adjective

Quibbling over dates aside, 19th century Americans did insistently observe a day of remembrance.
The Real Memorial Day: Oliver Wendell Holmes's Salute To A Momentous American Anniversary|Malcolm Jones|May 26, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Despite a spiraling rabbit hole of media quibbling about what Huckabee supposedly said, the basic gist of his remarks were clear.
The GOP’s Latest Ploy: Flatter Married Women|Amanda Marcotte|January 31, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Fast forward five decades, and mothers and daughters are still quibbling over food.
A Mother's Struggles with Her Teen|Hannah Seligson|September 8, 2010|DAILY BEAST
Thus was the noble "royal law according to the Scripture" destroyed by the petty quibbling use of the word "neighbour."
Expositor's Bible: The Gospel of Matthew|John Monro Gibson

Poetry had not as yet become the adversary of wit, nor had speculation abused itself by passing into quibbling.
The Aesthetical Essays|Friedrich Schiller
His argument is of merciless length, and occasionally so minute as to sound like quibbling.
The English Utilitarians, Volume I.|Leslie Stephen
As one reads these decisions, there is no evidence of political log-rolling, or of legal quibbling.
Railroads: Rates and Regulations|William Z. Ripley
Now, that's one of your quibbles, my dear Bishop, and I detest quibbling!
Lyre and Lancet|F. Anstey