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nitpicking

/ˈnɪtpɪkɪŋ/
English Definition
n. the act of looking for small or unimportant errors or faults
中文释义
吹毛求疵
Example Sentence

The editor's nitpicking over comma placement delayed the manuscript's publication by several weeks.

编辑对逗号位置的吹毛求疵使手稿的出版推迟了数周。

Synonyms
fault-finding caviling quibbling
Antonyms
praise approval
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Practice — Definition Match

Which choice best defines “nitpicking”?

  1. A The act of looking for small or unimportant errors or faults
  2. B The act of making someone known to another
  3. C View; expectancy, perspective
  4. D A large quantity of something
Show answer

A — The act of looking for small or unimportant errors or faults. “nitpicking” means the act of looking for small or unimportant errors or faults.

Practice — Which Word Fits?

Which word means “the act of looking for small or unimportant errors or faults”?

  1. A nitpicking
  2. B abundance
  3. C outlook
  4. D introduction
Show answer

A — nitpicking. “nitpicking” means the act of looking for small or unimportant errors or faults.

Common questions about “nitpicking”

What does “nitpicking” mean?

nitpicking — the act of looking for small or unimportant errors or faults. In Chinese: 吹毛求疵.

How do you pronounce “nitpicking”?

nitpicking is pronounced /ˈnɪtpɪkɪŋ/.

How is “nitpicking” used in a sentence?

The editor's nitpicking over comma placement delayed the manuscript's publication by several weeks. (编辑对逗号位置的吹毛求疵使手稿的出版推迟了数周。)

What are synonyms for “nitpicking”?

fault-finding, caviling, quibbling — all close in meaning to nitpicking (the act of looking for small or unimportant errors or faults).

What is the opposite of “nitpicking”?

praise, approval — each the opposite of nitpicking (the act of looking for small or unimportant errors or faults).

Is “nitpicking” an SAT vocabulary word?

Yes. nitpicking is on the SAT Prep Basic list — the everyday academic words the SAT assumes you already have. The Digital SAT does not test vocabulary in isolation; words like this one are tested through Words in Context questions, where you choose the word that completes a passage most logically and precisely.

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The Digital SAT tests vocabulary through Words in Context questions, never as a standalone definition. Learn the word, then use it against a real passage.