Cavilling

Cavilling refers to the making of petty, unnecessary, or frivolous objections or criticisms. It involves nitpicking, finding fault with minor details, or raising objections that are not substantial or relevant to the core issue. Cavilling often stems from a desire to find fault, exert control, or avoid dealing with more significant matters. It can be a frustrating and unproductive behavior, often seen as annoying or deliberately obstructive. The term implies a degree of triviality or pettiness in the objections being raised.

Cavilling meaning with examples

• Instead of focusing on the team's successes, the manager spent the entire meeting Cavilling about the font size used in the presentation slides. This distracted from discussing the company's record profits and was unproductive.
• The art critic was known for his extensive Cavilling of even the most renowned artists. He would focus on minor technical imperfections instead of appreciating the overall vision or emotional impact of the work.
• During negotiations, the union representatives resorted to Cavilling over the wording of the agreement, preventing any progress on more critical financial aspects that could help the workers.
• Despite the chef’s excellent meal, the customer started Cavilling over the temperature of the soup. This trivial complaint detracted from the overall positive experience, revealing that the customer was hard to please.