cavil
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
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
John now fully silenced the cavils of the enemy and taken the proper steps to preserve the body until the morning of the third day.
From The Christ Of Paul Or, The Enigmas of Christianity by George Reber
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
Indeed, some U.S. policymakers caviled at Thant's plan.
From Time Magazine Archive
No one has caviled that Hughes, who was too young for combat in World War I and too old for combat in World War II, should have chosen to write about both.
From Time Magazine Archive
Meanwhile, the FCC caviled about the frequencies he wanted to use.
From Time Magazine Archive
I beseech Thee by Thy Name, the Restrainer, to withhold from us the maleficence of Thine adversaries who have disbelieved in Thy testimony, and caviled at Thy beauty.
From Prayers and Meditations by Bahá'u'lláh
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, questioned the veracity of many incidents, doubted this man had experienced them all.
From Time Magazine Archive
Critics cavilled slightly at his tendency to inject cosmic significance into his characters' activities.
From Time Magazine Archive
Pécuchet picked a quarrel with him; the coffee-house keeper came on the scene, but Pécuchet would listen to no excuses, and even cavilled over the amount consumed.
From Bouvard and Pécuchet A Tragi-comic Novel of Bourgeois Life by Gustave Flaubert
Oldmixon, baffled and mortified, appealed to his communicator; the most idle prevarications were alleged; and Colonel Ducket even cavilled at the wording of the letter which Oldmixon had published.
From Amenities of Literature Consisting of Sketches and Characters of English Literature by Isaac Disraeli
What artist would want to tap into the flow of my caviling thoughts in the middle of a performance?
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 18, 2022
Someone better warn these caviling critics about Hamlet.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 13, 2021
They make deals, unencumbered by caviling aides and persnickety diplomats, as he and Mr. Trump will be when they meet in Helsinki.
From New York Times ● Jul. 15, 2018
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
The appeal was received by some with apathy, by others with caviling and opposition, and was followed by action on the part of none.
From Sketch of the life of Abraham Lincoln by Isacc Newton Arnold
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
Vocabulary lists containing cavil
Walden
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Sir Gawain and the Green Knight
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Tolkien Reading Day, List 11
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