What does "pettifogger" mean?
Someone who quibbles over trivia, and raises petty, annoying objections and sophistry.
Pettifogger
/ˈpɛtɪˌfɒɡə/ noun
noun ·Uncommon ·College level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: Someone who quibbles over trivia, and raises petty, annoying objections and sophistry.
- Grammar: pettifogger is listed as noun.
- Nearest alternatives: quibbler, shyster, ambulance chaser, belittler.
- Useful contrasts: ethical advocate, fair negotiator, honest debater.
- Usage evidence: Hence the cunning measure of appointing as ambassador some political pettifogger skilled in delays, sophisms, and misapprehensions, and dexterous in the art of baffling argument.
How to use "pettifogger"
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Meaning check
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Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "pettifogger" in a final draft.
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Before you rely on this definition
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Compare nearby meanings
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Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
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Definitions
Noun
- 1 Someone who quibbles over trivia, and raises petty, annoying objections and sophistry.
"Hence the cunning measure of appointing as ambassador some political pettifogger skilled in delays, sophisms, and misapprehensions, and dexterous in the art of baffling argument."
- 2 a disputant who quibbles; someone who raises annoying petty objections wordnet
- 3 An unscrupulous or unethical lawyer, especially one of lesser skill.
""An inn, or a tavern . . . these are places where greasy citizens take pipe and pot, where the knavish pettifoggers of the law spunge on their most unhappy victims."
- 4 a person (especially a lawyer or politician) who uses unscrupulous or unethical methods wordnet
Synonyms
All synonymsAntonyms
ethical advocatefair negotiatorhonest debaterhonest lawyer
Example
"Hence the cunning measure of appointing as ambassador some political pettifogger skilled in delays, sophisms, and misapprehensions, and dexterous in the art of baffling argument."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "pettifogger"?
Common synonyms include: quibbler, shyster, ambulance chaser, belittler, bunco artist, bunco steerer.
How do you use "pettifogger" in a sentence?
Hence the cunning measure of appointing as ambassador some political pettifogger skilled in delays, sophisms, and misapprehensions, and dexterous in the art of baffling argument.
How do you pronounce "pettifogger"?
Pronounced /ˈpɛtɪˌfɒɡə/.
Etymology
petty + fogger