verb

make petty or unnecessary objections.

they cavilled at the cost

complain,carp,grumble,moan,grouse,grouch,whine,bleat,find fault with,quibble about,niggle about,criticize,censure,denounce,condemn,decry,mither,twine,gripe,beef,bellyache,bitch,nitpick,pick holes in,split hairs,sound off,kick up a fuss,knock,whinge,chunter,create,kvetch about

noun

a petty or unnecessary objection.