cavil

The organization’s main cavil — that the measure will have inordinate impact on small medical practices — is largely a smokescreen.

From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 16, 2020

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

The committee awarded Livingston his doctorate without cavil.

From "Big Science" by Michael Hiltzik

And yet ... as Gray wrote in her review, “None of these cavils stopped me from standing up and cheering, with tears in my eyes, for ‘Last Dance.’”

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 16, 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

Indeed, more than once they have drawn criticism for burying their fundamental message - that society is running some huge risks -- in caveats and cavils.

From New York Times ● Jan. 15, 2013

The coxcomb criticises the dress of the clown, as the pedant cavils at the bad grammar of the illiterate.

From The Gentlemen's Book of Etiquette and Manual of Politeness Being a Complete Guide for a Gentleman's Conduct in all his Relations Towards Society by Hartley, Cecil B.

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

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

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

My authority may be caviled at; it is that of the late ingenious Mr. Van Damme, who describes Major Fraser in a book on the characters of the Second Empire.

From The Lock and Key Library The most interesting stories of all nations: Real life by Hawthorne, Julian

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

My dear Sir,—You observed that the French of Shirley might be cavilled at. 

From Charlotte Brontë and Her Circle by Shorter, Clement King

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 Burgon, John William

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

“Why do you wear that stuff?” she was asked, a question that has passed between many a caviling mother and obdurate teenage daughter.

From New York Times ● Jun. 21, 2016

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 Arnold, Isacc Newton

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