quibbling

American

[kwib-ling] / ˈkwɪb lɪŋ /

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.

Other Word Forms

Etymology

Origin of quibbling

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

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.

Semantics are more important than they may seem; it’s not just about quibbling over language.

From Salon • May 8, 2026

But quibbling over individual op-eds let him sidestep some uncomfortable introspection.

From Slate • Apr. 17, 2026

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

This wasn’t the time or the place for moral quibbling.

From "Six of Crows" by Leigh Bardugo

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023