niggle

Plural: niggles

Verb

Verb Forms: niggled, niggling, niggles

To cause slight but persistent annoyance, discomfort, or worry.
worry unnecessarily or excessively
argue over petty things
To trifle with; to deceive; to mock.
To use, spend, or do in a petty or trifling manner.
To dwell too much on minor points or on trifling details.
To fidget, fiddle, be restless.
To walk with short steps.

Noun

A minor complaint or problem.
Small, cramped handwriting.

Examples

The thought of a missed bingo began to niggle at the player during his turn.

Origin / Etymology

First attested in 1599. Origin uncertain, but likely borrowed from dialectal Norwegian nigla (“to be stingy, to busy oneself with trifles”), ultimately from Old Norse hnøggr (“stingy; miserly”), related to Old English hnēaw (“stingy; niggardly”). More at niggard.

Synonyms

bicker, brabble, fret, fuss, pettifog, quibble, squabble, cavil, nitpick, split hairs

Scrabble Score: 8

niggle: valid Scrabble (US) TWL Word
niggle: valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
niggle: valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 12

niggle: valid Words With Friends Word