Captiously

Captiously is an adverb that describes the act of raising trivial objections, or finding fault in a critical or argumentative way. It implies a tendency to point out flaws, misunderstand or misinterpret things in order to criticize or find fault, often in a petty or ill-natured manner. The behavior is characterized by a critical and fault-finding attitude, often focusing on minor details or superficial aspects of something. It suggests an intent to find errors or inconsistencies, rather than offering constructive criticism.

Captiously meaning with examples

• The reviewer captiously criticized the novel's minor plot inconsistencies, ignoring the compelling narrative and profound themes. He focused on minute details. He completely overlooked the author's artistic vision. His approach appeared more driven by a need to nitpick than offer fair assessment.
• Instead of offering supportive advice, the team lead captiously questioned every decision. They constantly second-guessed the project manager's methodology. His criticism hindered progress. The whole dynamic became negative. His behavior fostered a climate of anxiety.
• She captiously dismissed his efforts to help, focusing solely on his imperfections and the occasional stumbling words. Her responses, with a mocking tone, made him reluctant to offer support. She seemed less interested in solutions. Her behavior created resentment.
• During the debate, the politician captiously attacked his opponent's every statement. He relentlessly focused on minor errors and perceived contradictions. His strategy aimed to undermine credibility. His approach distracted from the main issues. The audience felt uncomfortable.
• The teacher captiously corrected every grammatical error, even when the student's ideas were insightful. Her focus was on the technical aspects. She missed the student's genuine understanding of the subject. This discouraging feedback stifled creativity.