Quibble/verb/quib·ble

The word quibble is a verb that refers to the act of arguing over trivial matters. Often the word technically refers to the specific act of arguing over semantics to avoid the heart of the actual argument. Less frequently, the word quibble can also be used as a noun to refer to the actual minor disagreement.

In a Sentence

The professor was trying to quibble about the homework, but I was determined to finish it.

I cannot stand the way my co-worker quibbles over every little detail in the morning meeting to make himself look important.

The teacher was quibbling about the assignment and preventing me from getting an A grade when the research clearly showed I was correct.

Etymology

Etymologists believe the word quibble may have originated from the Middle English word quibbelen, which means to argue or dispute a minor point. Quibble appeared in Middle English around the turn of the 16th century, and English speakers adopted the word into the language initially as a noun in 1650.

Synonyms

Dispute, Nit-pick

Antonyms

Agree, Concur