quibble
an instance of the use of ambiguous, prevaricating, or irrelevant language or arguments to evade a point at issue.
the general use of such arguments.
petty or carping criticism; a minor objection.
to equivocate.
to carp; cavil.
Origin of quibble
1Other words for quibble
Other words from quibble
- quibbler, noun
- outquibble, verb (used with object), out·quib·bled, out·quib·bling.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use quibble in a sentence
With him the quibbler, the doctrinaire, the political economist, has no place.
Sir Charles Napier | Sir William Francis ButlerIf there is one thing I find it difficult to have Christian patience with, it is a quibbler.
Hildegarde's Harvest | Laura E. RichardsYou are a quibbler, I vow; but I would not hear your worst enemy accuse you of being orthodox.
A Nest of Linnets | Frank Frankfort MooreAnd the last time you had a word or two—y' infairnal quibbler—was it just before your last spasm, eh?
Hard Cash | Charles ReadeThus had confusion been brought to the last quibbler in Zion.
The Lions of the Lord | Harry Leon Wilson
British Dictionary definitions for quibble
/ (ˈkwɪbəl) /
to make trivial objections; prevaricate
archaic to play on words; pun
a trivial objection or equivocation, esp one used to avoid an issue
archaic a pun
Origin of quibble
1Derived forms of quibble
- quibbler, noun
- quibbling, adjective, noun
- quibblingly, adverb
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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