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

Quibbling over bread selection does less to effect real-world change than it does to invite mass mockery.

From Washington Post • Mar. 20, 2023

Quibbling over the phrasing and timeline doesn’t change that.

From Washington Post • Oct. 27, 2020

Quibbling over Nixon’s relevance is not where our attention should be focused.

From Slate • Sep. 10, 2018

Quibbling over the death place of a dead hog, even as worthy a Porcine as Blue Boy, shows to what extent live mortals will go.

From Time Magazine Archive

Quibbling over the minuti� of form is indicative of failure to grasp the spirit.

From Manual for Noncommissioned Officers and Privates of Infantry of the Army of the United States, 1917 To be used by Engineer companies (dismounted) and Coast Artillery companies for Infantry instruction and training by United States War Department