niggled; niggling
ˈni-g(ə-)liŋ 
1
a
: trifle
b
: to spend too much effort on minor details
2
: to find fault constantly in a petty way : carp
she haggles, she niggles, she wears out our patience—
Virginia Woolf
Virginia Woolf3
: gnaw
: to give stingily or in tiny portions
chiefly British
: a trifling doubt, objection, or complaint
Examples of niggle in a Sentence
Verb
She had been niggled by worry her entire life.
He's always niggling over small details.
Noun
I've had a knee niggle for the past few days.
He has a bit of a niggle in his back.
I have a few minor niggles about the performance.
Recent Examples on the Web
Dermot Corrigan, The Athletic, 16 Jan. 2025
He’s also had several niggling injuries since leaving his homeland five years ago.
—Elias Burke, The Athletic, 21 Aug. 2024
Tom Sanderson, Forbes, 16 Jan. 2025
Isak, who has scored in seven consecutive Premier League games for Newcastle, equalling a club record, was withdrawn in the 65th minute of the Carabao Cup victory at Arsenal last week with a minor hamstring niggle and was not in the squad for the FA Cup tie against Bromley.
—George Caulkin, The Athletic, 14 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for niggle 
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Verb
In his first season back, Cazorla played 26 games in all competitions, providing four assists, but niggling injuries hampered his contribution.
—Dermot Corrigan, The Athletic, 16 Jan. 2025
He’s also had several niggling injuries since leaving his homeland five years ago.
—Elias Burke, The Athletic, 21 Aug. 2024
Noun
Either side of that knock and a muscle niggle in December, Fati has been unable to convince Flick of his worth as the German revealed in a prematch press conference to preview Wednesday's 5-1 Copa del Rey last 16 win over Real Betis.
—Tom Sanderson, Forbes, 16 Jan. 2025
Isak, who has scored in seven consecutive Premier League games for Newcastle, equalling a club record, was withdrawn in the 65th minute of the Carabao Cup victory at Arsenal last week with a minor hamstring niggle and was not in the squad for the FA Cup tie against Bromley.
—George Caulkin, The Athletic, 14 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for niggle
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Dictionary Entries Near niggle
Cite this Entry
“Niggle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/niggle. Accessed 27 Jan. 2025.
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