quibble

[ kwib-uhl ]

noun

1. an instance of the use of ambiguous, prevaricating, or irrelevant language or arguments to evade a point at issue.

   Synonyms: ambiguity, shift, sophism, equivocation, evasion

2. the general use of such arguments.
3. petty or carping criticism; a minor objection.

verb (used without object)

, quib·bled, quib·bling.

1. to equivocate.
2. to carp; cavil.

quibble

/ ˈkwɪbəl /

verb

1. to make trivial objections; prevaricate
2. archaic.
   to play on words; pun

noun

1. a trivial objection or equivocation, esp one used to avoid an issue
2. archaic.
   a pun

Derived Forms

• ˈquibbling, adjectivenoun
• ˈquibblingly, adverb
• ˈquibbler, noun

Other Words From

• quibbler noun
• outquibble verb (used with object) outquibbled outquibbling

Word History and Origins

Origin of quibble¹

1605–15; perhaps derivative ( -le ) of quib gibe, apparently akin to quip

Word History and Origins

Origin of quibble¹

C17: probably from obsolete quib, perhaps from Latin quibus (from quī who, which), as used in legal documents, with reference to their obscure phraseology

Example Sentences

As Berlant quibbles with the woman on the mountain, her wry and goofy presence instantly sets the ad's tone.

From Salon

“I don’t think that you can quibble with Smith’s effort to slim this indictment down,” Eisen said.

From Salon

This was largely devoted to lowering the cost of housing, food, medical services and child-raising for families, and generated a swell of quibbles in the press and the punditocracy.

From Los Angeles Times

The ongoing quibbling over whether "The Bear" is a comedy or a drama received a new splash of accelerant when the FX series landed 23 Emmy Award nominations on Wednesday.

From Salon

This isn’t to quibble with the notion that Biden lied on the form or that he engaged in other culpable conduct during a dark period of his life.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• bicker
• carp
• spar
• squabble
• waffle
• wrangle