niggle
verb
[ ˈnɪɡ(ə)l ]
• cause slight but persistent annoyance, discomfort, or anxiety.
• "Doreen wanted to discuss matters that niggled at her mind"
Similar:
irritate,
annoy,
worry,
trouble,
bother,
provoke,
exasperate,
upset,
gall,
irk,
rankle with,
rile,
hack off,
get,
get to,
bug,
get up someone's nose,
niggle
noun
• a trivial criticism, discomfort, or annoyance.
• "it is an excellent book except for my few niggles"
Similar:
minor criticism,
quibble,
trivial objection,
trivial complaint,
adverse comment,
moan,
grumble,
grouse,
cavil,
twine,
gripe,
beef,
grouch,
nitpicking,
pettifogging,
Origin:
early 17th century (in the sense ‘do in an ineffectual way’): apparently of Scandinavian origin; compare with Norwegian nigla . Current senses date from the late 18th century.
