as in complains
to make often peevish criticisms or objections about matters that are minor, unimportant, or irrelevant
caviled for hours about a single sentence
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cavils
Verb
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If he had been forced to stick with readily available materials, Rashid complains, the deck behind the house would have been green or brown.
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The document complains about trade, customs officers, juryless courts, and judges’ salaries.
Noun
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Rounding out the top five names were seven write-in votes for the Sacramento Capitals or Capitols — which could be nicknamed the Caps to avoid quarrels over the spelling — and six votes for the Sacramento Stingers or Sting, referencing the collegiate Sacramento State Hornets.
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In a 2024 study, researchers found that chimpanzee mothers tended to step in to defend their children in quarrels—say, over food or space in a tree—in about half of cases the researchers observed in the wild.
Verb
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Musselwhite punctuated the music with his harmonica trills and moans while his right knee bounced in time with the rhythms.
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As the video continues, one person can be heard yelling her name while the makeup artist moans in pain.
Noun
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There have been criticisms over the division of a 90-minute match into essentially four quarters rather than two halves (with hydration breaks inserted around the 22nd and 67th minutes of every game).
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As this World Cup continues to play out, the criticisms, fears and concerns about the home of the New York Giants and New York Jets have all been realized to an international audience.
Verb
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So your first indication of problems can be a client who nitpicks every job, forcing you to return to re-trim the 2-inch patch of sod that the client claims wasn’t properly manicured.
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But Brian constantly nitpicks her purchases.
Noun
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The politically complicated situation has raised a few eyebrows — and ethical concerns — among some aldermen who passed the legislation allowing VGTs over the objections of Mayor Brandon Johnson.
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When New England became a stop on major international trade routes, the multicultural floodgates opened and Puritan objections to things like fashion, elaborate design, lavish displays of wealth and other things deemed excessive were being continually, casually challenged.
Noun
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The idea is to allow for accidents, miscommunications or misunderstandings that the participants agree should not scuttle talks.
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Starting to collaborate early, and maintaining collaboration throughout every phase of the campaign process, is how teams can move away from working in siloes and decrease the chances of misunderstandings.
Noun
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They are hired hands and stewards of other people’s capital, with no desire to becoming embroiled in internecine squabbles between clashing advocates, parochial activists, and plain opportunists latching on to the moment.
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Be patient with kids and romantic partners, because squabbles might arise.
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Cite this Entry
“Cavils.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cavils. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.
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