Well-read · Arguing & persuading
Cavil: meaning, pronunciation and examples
Cavil verb. To make petty, unnecessary objections.
How to say it
KAV-ul/ˈkav(ə)l/
2 syllables, stressed on the first (KAV). Forms: cavilled.
Cavil in a sentence
It seems churlish to cavil at a free lunch, but the soup was cold.
Critics cavilled about the running time while audiences queued round the block.
Similar and opposite
Similar:
- quibble
- carp
- nitpick
- niggle
Where cavil comes from
From Latin cavillari, to jeer or quibble.
Test yourself
Which word fills the gap?
Critics _____ about the running time while audiences queued round the block.
- cavil
- proselytise
- rebut
Show the answer
cavil: Critics cavilled about the running time while audiences queued round the block.