noun
- the practice of quibbling over trivial matters or using petty, underhanded methods, especially in legal or business dealings
Usage: often derogatory
Examples
- The lawyer’s pettifoggery delayed the case for months with unnecessary technicalities.
- She was tired of the pettifoggery in the contract negotiations.
- The committee’s pettifoggery over minor details prevented any real progress.
- His reputation suffered due to accusations of pettifoggery in his business practices.
- The judge warned against pettifoggery and demanded clear, honest arguments.
- Such pettifoggery only serves to confuse the real issues at hand.