Cavil
/ˈkævl/verb
To complain about unimportant things in a way that is not reasonable.
He's always caviling about the minor errors in the report.
Often appears as...
- cavil at
- cavil about
Definition 1 of 1
Pro Tip 1/3Negative Connotation
Cavil implies unnecessary criticism, suggesting pickiness and dissatisfaction.
He continued to cavil over the event’s minor setbacks, annoying the rest of the team.
Pro Tip 2/3Unreasonable Complaints
Use 'cavil' when the complaints seem petty or too detailed to be valid concerns.
After winning the game, it seemed odd for him to cavil about the color of the uniforms.
Pro Tip 3/3Seldom Praise
Cavil is rarely used in positive contexts; it indicates a tendency to find faults.
His mentor would often cavil at his work, instead of providing encouragement.
Compare with
carpcomplaincriticizefussgrumbleobjectquibble
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