cavil
verb
[ ˈkav(ə)l ]
• make petty or unnecessary objections.
• "they cavilled at the cost"
Similar:
complain,
carp,
grumble,
moan,
grouse,
grouch,
whine,
bleat,
find fault with,
quibble about,
niggle about,
criticize,
censure,
denounce,
condemn,
decry,
mither,
twine,
gripe,
beef,
bellyache,
bitch,
nitpick,
pick holes in,
split hairs,
sound off,
kick up a fuss,
knock,
whinge,
chunter,
create,
kvetch about,
cavil
noun
• a petty or unnecessary objection.
Origin:
mid 16th century: from French caviller, from Latin cavillari, from cavilla ‘mockery’.
