carping
adjective
1. Pertaining to excessive complaining.
- 1847 Having thus acknowledged what I owe those who have aided and approved me, I turn to another class; a small one, so far as I know, but not, therefore, to be overlooked. I mean the timorous or carping few who doubt the tendency of such books as "Jane Eyre:" in whose eyes whatever is unusual is wrong; whose ears detect in each protest against bigotry -- that parent of crime -- an insult to piety, that regent of God on earth. I would suggest to such doubters certain obvious distin
noun
1. persistent petty and unjustified criticism
Similar word(s): faultfinding
Definition categories: communication, criticism
Sentences with carping as a noun:
- 1911 "Oh, stop your carping, Dawn!" I told myself. "You can't expect charming tones, and Oriental do-dads and apple trees in a German boarding-house. — Edna Ferber, Dawn O'Hara, the Girl who Laughed, Chapter 6
verb
1. present participle of carp