quibbling

American  

[kwib-ling] / ˈkwɪb lɪŋ /

adjective

1. characterized by or consisting of quibbles; carping; niggling.

   quibbling debates.

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noun

1. the act of a person who quibbles.

2. an instance of quibbling.

   a relationship marked by frequent quibblings.

Other Word Forms

• quibblingly adverb
• unquibbling adjective

Etymology

Origin of quibbling

First recorded in 1650–60; quibble + -ing ², -ing ¹

Example Sentences

It was a mistake to think that you could give the beach cottage to these quibbling brothers.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 17, 2025

But she dismissed arguments that regular sugar is less processed as "completely quibbling", noting that both products require stripping out fibre and other nutritional benefits.

From BBC • Jul. 23, 2025

Yet quibbling would seem as tweedy as arguing that the film is peddling both nostalgia and anemoia — a longing for an era one never knew firsthand.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 18, 2025

I recognize that this is confusing, and all of the above may seem like minor linguistic quibbling to those less aware of the history.

From Slate • Apr. 30, 2025

“There could be no quibbling with a request of yours, no matter who delivered it. We’re here to serve, not to question.”

From "Strange the Dreamer" by Laini Taylor