nitpick

verb

nit·​pick ˈnit-ˌpik How to pronounce nitpick (audio)
nitpicked; nitpicking; nitpicks

intransitive verb

: to engage in nit-picking

transitive verb

: to criticize by nit-picking
… warns her lawyers not to nitpick on relatively simple matters.Deborah L. Jacobs
nitpick noun
nitpicker noun
nitpicky adjective

Examples of nitpick in a Sentence

her husband nitpicks about everything: from how she puts the plates away to how she files the bills
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Fans of the game have either enjoyed the series so far, nitpicked a number of differences between them, or both. Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 14 Apr. 2025 The Kremlin’s sincerity in seeking a ceasefire is increasingly suspect after weeks of negotiating, nitpicking, and reneging on U.S. proposals already approved by Ukraine. Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 11 Apr. 2025 In the sell-side analyst commentary out Wednesday morning, there also is some nitpicking around CrowdStrike’s 112% net retention rate, which was down slightly from the quarter before. Jeff Marks, CNBC, 5 Mar. 2025 The quarterback position, given its importance in football, is very easy to nitpick for NFL scouts. Newsweek Staff, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for nitpick

Word History

Etymology

back-formation from nit-picking

First Known Use

1956, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of nitpick was in 1956

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Nitpick.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nitpick. Accessed 29 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

nitpick

verb
nit·​pick ˈnit-ˌpik How to pronounce nitpick (audio)
: to criticize for tiny faults that are usually of little importance
nitpicker noun
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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