as in to complain
to make often peevish criticisms or objections about matters that are minor, unimportant, or irrelevant
you know it drives me crazy when you niggle like that
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in quibble
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
2
as in qualm
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of niggle
Carly Tagen-Dye,
PEOPLE,
22 Jan. 2026
Car buyers who want to limit in-person negotiating, or at least that niggling feeling that a dealership is pulling one over on them, might be soothed by an internet full of information.
—
Aarian Marshall,
Wired News,
18 Jan. 2026
James McNicholas,
New York Times,
28 Apr. 2026
For example, experiencing a consistent niggle in your hip while running may actually be due to pelvic floor dysfunction.
—
Jordan Smith,
Outside,
11 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for niggle
Verb
Eda knew from experience that with too much time to think came the niggling whispers of common sense.
—
Carly Tagen-Dye,
PEOPLE,
22 Jan. 2026
Car buyers who want to limit in-person negotiating, or at least that niggling feeling that a dealership is pulling one over on them, might be soothed by an internet full of information.
—
Aarian Marshall,
Wired News,
18 Jan. 2026
Noun
Williamson played her first 90 minutes in the Women’s Super League in January but has struggled to play consecutive full 90-minute games for her club this season due to minor niggles.
—
James McNicholas,
New York Times,
28 Apr. 2026
For example, experiencing a consistent niggle in your hip while running may actually be due to pelvic floor dysfunction.
—
Jordan Smith,
Outside,
11 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for niggle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for niggle
Verb
-
Even Hakimi didn't complain, instead giving van de Ven a dap of respect.
-
The document complains about trade, customs officers, juryless courts, and judges’ salaries.
Noun
-
Still, this is a small quibble next to the accomplishment of this book.
-
The band, expanded to include touring keyboardist Loren Gold, seemed exhilarated, if a little stiff at times, a first-night quibble that will surely self-correct.
Noun
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But his qualms weren’t about the level of destruction in Gaza or the high civilian toll, both of which drew global outrage.
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Smith's qualms stemmed from the massive requirements for the presidential visit, which shut down surrounding streets near Madison Square Garden and forced police to clear out outdoor watch parties.
Verb
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Yes, teaching by example is often a better way of handling a challenge than fussing about it.
-
No need to fuss-up something that's just as delicious prepared simply.
Noun
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For individuals 18 and older, courts generally must approve a qualifying name change within six weeks without holding a hearing or allowing formal objections.
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Much of the objection to using the term comes from Israel's ongoing attacks in Lebanon and Gaza despite ceasefires.
Noun
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Nearly 2,000 people are confirmed dead, with tens of thousands still missing following the tremors.
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Many remain unwilling to return to homes that survived the initial earthquakes but may now be structurally compromised by the continuing tremors.
Verb
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Tucker even nitpicked the nine-pitch at-bat that ended in the pull-side homer.
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And the backdrop of worldwide unrest and escalating nuclear threat is subtle to a fault, though that’s just nitpicking.
Noun
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Throughout the journey, Pfendler documented life alone at sea for hundreds of thousands of followers on social media, sharing the physical and mental challenges of crossing one of the world's largest oceans.
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Reservations are recommended and parking can be a challenge, with limited spaces available in the dedicated lot.
Cite this Entry
“Niggle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/niggle. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.
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