niggle

/ˈnɪgəl/

Other forms: niggling; niggles; niggled

To niggle means to argue over petty things, like battling over who gets the front seat or bickering about who's turn it is to take out the garbage.

To niggle is to squabble over something silly or even to persistently nag or worry someone to death. Etymologists believe the verb niggle could be from Scandinavian roots, but there's no point quibbling over its unclear origin. All you need to know is that niggling is largely annoying to all involved.

Definitions of niggle

1. verb

   worry unnecessarily or excessively
   synonyms: fret, fuss

   types:

   scruple

   raise scruples

   dither, flap, pother

   make a fuss; be agitated

   type of:

   worry

   be worried, concerned, anxious, troubled, or uneasy
2. verb

   argue over petty things
   synonyms: bicker, brabble, pettifog, quibble, squabble

   type of:

   argue, contend, debate, fence

   have an argument about something