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   niggle

   /ˈnɪɡl/

   verb

   • 1. cause slight but persistent annoyance, discomfort, or anxiety: "Doreen wanted to discuss matters that niggled at her mind" Similar irritateannoyworrytroublebotherprovokeexasperateupsetgallirkrankle withinformal:rilehack offgetget tobugget up someone's nose
   • ▪ criticize or annoy (someone) in a petty way: "people niggling me for doing too much work" Similar complainobjectmoanfussnagcarpcavilfind faultgrumblegrousemithertwineinformal:nitpick

   noun

   • 1. a trivial criticism, discomfort, or annoyance: "it is an excellent book except for my few niggles"

   Word Origin early 17th century (in the sense ‘do in an ineffectual way’): apparently of Scandinavian origin; compare with Norwegian nigla. Current senses date from the late 18th century.

   Scrabble Points: 8

   • N

     1

   • I

     1

   • G

     2

   • G

     2

   • L

     1

   • E

     1

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