niggle
Quibble over trifles
To niggle is to find fault in minor, persistent ways—picking at small imperfections rather than addressing larger issues: She niggled about the font size while ignoring the report's substance.
A niggle is a minor complaint or a small nagging worry: I have a few niggles about the plan.
Something niggling bothers you in a low-grade, persistent way: a niggling doubt.
Trivial objection raised
- cavilPetty objection
- carpWhine about trivialities
- criticizeJudge unfavorably, vocally
- fussAgitated, unnecessary concern
pettifogging · pedantry · fault-find · pick apart · nit · technicality · minutiae · triviality
Brief, sharp sensation
- achePersistent dull discomfort
- throbBeat with intensity
- pangBrief sharp sensation
- sorenessTender, painful sensation
discomfort · tenderness · nag · persistent · dull · minor · low-grade · nagging
quibble
Trivial objection raised
fuss · pettifogging · pedantry · fault-find · pick apart · nit · technicality · minutiae · triviality · detail
twinge
Brief, sharp sensation
soreness · discomfort · tenderness · nag · persistent · dull · minor · low-grade · nagging · irritation
nag
Pester repeatedly
fret · unease · disquiet · doubt · concern · anxiety · misgiving · apprehension · unsettle · disturb
irritate
Cause mild anger
irk · nag · bug · needle · grate · rankle · nettle · chafe · peeve · aggravate