Library / English Dictionary

QUIBBLE

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 I. (noun) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

An evasion of the point of an argument by raising irrelevant distinctions or objections

Synonyms:

cavil; quibble; quiddity

Classified under:

Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents

Hypernyms ("quibble" is a kind of...):

equivocation; evasion (a statement that is not literally false but that cleverly avoids an unpleasant truth)

Derivation:

quibble (evade the truth of a point or question by raising irrelevant objections)

 II. (verb) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

Argue over petty things

Example:

Let's not quibble over pennies

Synonyms:

bicker; brabble; niggle; pettifog; quibble; squabble

Classified under:

Verbs of telling, asking, ordering, singing

Hypernyms (to "quibble" is one way to...):

argue; contend; debate; fence (have an argument about something)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s
Somebody ----s PP

Sentence examples:

Sam and Sue quibble

Sam wants to quibble with Sue

Derivation:

quibbler (a disputant who quibbles; someone who raises annoying petty objections)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Evade the truth of a point or question by raising irrelevant objections

Classified under:

Verbs of telling, asking, ordering, singing

Hypernyms (to "quibble" is one way to...):

circumvent; dodge; duck; elude; evade; fudge; hedge; parry; put off; sidestep; skirt (avoid or try to avoid fulfilling, answering, or performing (duties, questions, or issues))

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s

Derivation:

quibble (an evasion of the point of an argument by raising irrelevant distinctions or objections)

quibbler (a disputant who quibbles; someone who raises annoying petty objections)

Credits