cavil

This cavil has no bearing on the outcome of the case.

From Slate ● Feb. 20, 2019

They talk a lot about how something must be done about inequality and the need to address social unrest, but cavil at the idea they might be a big part of the problem.

From The Guardian ● Feb. 1, 2019

I wished the corn had been grilled rather than boiled, but that’s a cavil since I consumed two of three ears.

From Seattle Times ● Aug. 30, 2018

Copyright holders may cavil, but it's just such dedication that can make an old canceled show seem like a new good bet.

From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 16, 2018

The committee awarded Livingston his doctorate without cavil.

From "Big Science" by Michael Hiltzik

For all the cavils about cookie-cutter proposals, there was a refreshing diversity in the social-media pitches of the candidates.

From New York Times ● Jul. 11, 2022

To be completely candid, I found Simon’s intellectual posturing, rarefied vocabulary and grammarian cavils trying.

From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 23, 2019

Don’t be put off by these cavils, though.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 28, 2018

Despite my few cavils, “Avid Reader” will be avidly read by anyone interested in the publishing world of the past 60 years.

From Washington Post ● Sep. 14, 2016

In the view of sound philosophy, such modification at once disarms scepticism of its cavils.

From The Religion of Geology and Its Connected Sciences by Edward Hitchcock

Prospective investors had caviled at “the benevolence of Starbucks management”, he said, which gave all employees health insurance and stock options; they wanted the money spent on investor returns.

From The Guardian ● Aug. 30, 2017

Critics caviled in this case because cub reporters do not write editorials under their signatures on the front pages.

From Time Magazine Archive

Meanwhile, the FCC caviled about the frequencies he wanted to use.

From Time Magazine Archive

Indeed, some U.S. policymakers caviled at Thant's plan.

From Time Magazine Archive

I cannot give a full account of their arguments on both sides; only this I remember, that they caviled very much with one another.

From History of the Plague in London by Daniel Defoe

This lack of a central authority is one of the reasons why Dimon cavilled in such strong terms last week.

From The Guardian ● Sep. 17, 2017

Critics cavilled slightly at his tendency to inject cosmic significance into his characters' activities.

From Time Magazine Archive

Critics cavilled, questioned the veracity of many incidents, doubted this man had experienced them all.

From Time Magazine Archive

If that were permitted—if every order were to be cavilled at and argued upon, as just or unjust, there would be an end of all discipline.

From Mr. Midshipman Easy by Frederick Marryat

Now, His words were disregarded, cavilled at, made light of, in just the same manner.

From Inspiration and Interpretation Seven Sermons Preached Before the University of Oxford by John William Burgon

So what was I caviling about to myself during intermission?

From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 31, 2025

Someone better warn these caviling critics about Hamlet.

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 13, 2021

It would come off as cheeky caviling to basically say, “I don’t like the way you defended me and my property from a criminal.”

From Slate ● Mar. 31, 2016

It was hard to fault Woods’s performance, even after all the caviling about timing his announcement in the middle of a golf tournament and the ban on reporters’ questions.

From New York Times ● Feb. 20, 2010

And at no time hath the caviling of men, whether learned or unlearned, been a thing to rely on, nor will it be so.

From A Traveler’s Narrative by `Abdu'l-Bahá

One reading of “The Shroud of Color” should be enough to convince the most cavilling reader.

From New York Times ● Oct. 21, 2021

In the last month, the drip of doubtful decisions and cavilling explanations has become relentless.

From The New Yorker ● Aug. 12, 2018

But it's Guineas weekend, a good time to celebrate the summer game rather than cavilling.

From The Guardian ● Apr. 30, 2010

Whereupon police, who had been listening, courteously hustled cavilling Major Franco and his huddle to jail for overnight detention.

From Time Magazine Archive

None, that is, worthy of anything but cavilling mention.

From "Nine Stories" by J. D. Salinger