cavilers

Those who quibble

Cavilers are people who raise trivial or petty objections, finding fault where none is warranted.

The word carries a tone of dismissal—cavilers nitpick rather than engage substantively: The proposal had merit, but cavilers focused on minor wording issues.

Also spelled cavillers.

criticism

nitpickers

Critics of trivial flaws

faultfindersPeople who criticize constantly
criticsThose who evaluate work
complainersPeople who express discontent

objectors · detractors · carpers · quibblers · censurers · disparagers · knockers · attackers · denouncers · hecklers

pedantry

hairsplitters

Those fixating on trivial distinctions

sticklersThose insisting on precision
pedantsThose fixated on minutiae
puristsStrict adherence advocates

perfectionists · literalists · formalists · martinets · doctrinaires · nitpickers · technicians · legalists · grammarians · prescriptivists

debate

disputants

Those who contend

arguersPeople who contest points
debatersThose who argue formally
contendersThose seeking to win

adversaries · antagonists · polemicists · provocateurs · contrarians · gadflies · devil's advocates · interrogators · questioners · cross-examiners

Opposites

disposition toward others' work/ideas

cavilersadmirers

People who appreciate someone

praisers · supporters · enthusiasts · fans · champions

critical approach

cavilersapprovers

Those who authorize

accepters · endorsers · yes-men · consenters · ratifiers

Family

caviled, caviler

Familiarity: Top 1,000,000
Profile: Used worldwide · Timeless · Negative · Everyday, not technical · Rated G