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Difficulty vs Cavil - What's the difference?

difficulty | cavil | Synonyms |

Difficulty is a synonym of cavil.


As nouns the difference between difficulty and cavil

is that difficulty is the state of being difficult, or hard to do while cavil is a petty or trivial objection or criticism.

As a verb cavil is

to criticise for petty or frivolous reasons.

difficulty

English

(wikipedia difficulty)

Noun

(difficulties)
  • The state of being difficult, or hard to do.
  • An obstacle that hinders achievement of a goal.
    • We faced a difficulty .

    Derived terms

    * difficulty level * with difficulty

    Related terms

    * difficile * difficult

    External links

    * *

    cavil

    English

    Alternative forms

    * cavel, cavell

    Verb

  • To criticise for petty or frivolous reasons.
  • * 1598? , William Shakespeare, Two Gentlemen of Verona , Act I, scene I:
    • 'Tis love you cavil at: I am not Love.
  • *{{quote-book, year=1913, author=
    • , title=Lord Stranleigh Abroad , chapter=5 citation , passage=Stranleigh found no difficulty in getting a cavalcade together at Bleacher’s station, an amazingly long distance west of New York. A man finds little trouble in obtaining what he wants, if he never cavils at the price asked, and is willing to pay in advance.}}
  • * 1928 , D. H. Lawrence, Lady Chatterley's Lover :
    • I wish you wouldn't cavil , Hilda.

    Synonyms

    * be hypercritical, nitpick, pettifog, split hairs

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • A petty or trivial objection or criticism.
  • * 1835 , Charles G. Finney, Lectures on revivals of religion :
    • It is not worth while to spend your time in arguing against a cavil , but make him feel he is committing a sin to plead it, and thus enlist his conscience on your side.

    References