niggler


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nig·gle

 (nĭg′əl)
v. nig·gled, nig·gling, nig·gles
v.intr.
1. To cause one to be persistently preoccupied, annoyed, or uncomfortable: Doubts niggled at the back of my mind.
2. To pester someone or be annoying or uncomfortable in a persistent way: He niggled at me all day to lend him my car.
3. To be overly concerned or argumentative, especially about something petty; fuss: niggled over contract details.
v.tr.
1. To preoccupy, annoy, make uncomfortable in a persistent way: Suspicions niggled him.
2. To pester or nag (someone).

[Perhaps of Scandinavian origin.]

nig′gler n.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:
Noun1.niggler - someone who constantly criticizes in a petty wayniggler - someone who constantly criticizes in a petty way
critic - someone who frequently finds fault or makes harsh and unfair judgments
Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.

niggler

noun
A person who finds fault, often severely and willfully:
The American Heritage® Roget's Thesaurus. Copyright © 2013, 2014 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
References in periodicals archive ?
According to the Sydney Morning Herald, the usually mild mannered Clarke was heard on stump cam telling serial niggler James Anderson to get ready for a broken fing arm at the crease before Australia claimed a stunning 381-run Test victory on Sunday at the Gabba.
I am not a massive niggler. I let them put the ball in and get out and try to make my tackle rather than get in a sledging match.
Dennis Wise: Wind-up expert and niggler extraordinaire.