cavil

[ kav-uhl ]

verb (used without object)

, cav·iled, cav·il·ing or (especially British) cav·illed, cav·il·ling.

1. to raise irritating and trivial objections; find fault with unnecessarily (usually followed by at or about ):

   He finds something to cavil at in everything I say.

   Synonyms: criticize, complain, carp

verb (used with object)

, cav·iled, cav·il·ing or (especially British) cav·illed, cav·il·ling.

1. to oppose by inconsequential, frivolous, or sham objections:

   to cavil each item of a proposed agenda.

noun

1. a trivial and annoying objection.
2. the raising of such objections.

cavil

/ ˈkævɪl /

verb

1. intr; foll by at or about to raise annoying petty objections; quibble; carp

noun

1. a captious trifling objection

Derived Forms

• ˈcaviller, noun
• ˈcavilling, adjective

Other Words From

• cavil·er especially British, cavil·ler noun
• cavil·ing·ly especially British, cavil·ling·ly adverb
• outcavil verb (used with object) outcaviled outcaviling or (especially British) outcavilled outcavilling
• un·cavil·ing adjective
• un·cavil·ling adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of cavil¹

First recorded in 1540–50; from Latin cavillārī “to jeer, scoff, quibble,” derivative of cavilla “jesting, banter,” perhaps derivative of cav(us) “hollow”; cave ( def )

Word History and Origins

Origin of cavil¹

C16: from Old French caviller, from Latin cavillārī to jeer, from cavilla raillery

Example Sentences

This proposal generated cavils in the chattering classes that it would drive home prices up to absorb the $25,000 grant, putatively keeping homes out of the reach of the beneficiaries.

From Los Angeles Times

"Mueller's long report explained precisely his reasons for his prosecutorial decisions. Durham just recycles old cavils about the launching of the Russia investigation that have zero connection to any alleged crime. It's bogus," he tweeted.

From Salon

But Mr. Sunak’s critics fell into predictable cavils about “rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic.”

From New York Times

What artist would want to tap into the flow of my caviling thoughts in the middle of a performance?

From Los Angeles Times

The Justice Department, on the other hand, needs to develop a legal case consisting of admissible evidence proving criminal guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, and if possible beyond Republican cavil as well.

From Los Angeles Times