Definitions

stickle

[stik-uhl] / ˈstɪk əl /

VERB

demur

Synonyms

STRONGEST

hesitate vacillate waver

STRONG

balk cavil challenge combat complain deprecate disapprove dispute doubt fight object oppose pause protest pussyfoot refuse remonstrate resist scruple shy stick strain

WEAK

hem and haw take exception wait and see

Antonyms

STRONG

accept agree aid approve believe commend consent endorse give in go along help praise sanction support surrender

VERB

dissent

Synonyms

STRONGEST

balk contradict demur differ

STRONG

argue buck decline disaccord discord divide object oppose pettifog protest refuse shy vary wrangle

WEAK

break with fly in the face of put up a fight put up an argument say no way say not a chance say nothing doing

Antonyms

STRONGEST

accept agree consent

STRONG

approve join

WEAK

assent authorize concur endorse ratify sanction

VERB

recoil

Synonyms

STRONGEST

backfire balk blanch blink cringe demur flinch hesitate reel shudder tremble turn away waver wince

STRONG

blench carom dodge duck falter jerk kick quail quake react rebound resile shake shirk shrink spring start stick swerve withdraw

WEAK

draw back pull back shy away step back

Antonyms

STRONGEST

steady

STRONG

face meet remain stay

VERB

scruple

Synonyms

STRONG

boggle demur doubt falter fret gag hesitate question shy stick stumble vacillate waver worry

WEAK

be loath be reluctant be unwilling have qualms think twice about

Antonyms

STRONG

continue remain stay

WEAK

not care

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Meanwhile in London His Majesty's Government continued to stickle for the oath in a sharp note to the Irish Free State, so sharp that last week neither sender nor receiver would divulge the contents.

From Time Magazine Archive

To all of them�pro-Nazi, anti-Nazi, pro-French or pro-League�the present seems no time to stickle.

From Time Magazine Archive

Classicists from Nick's, who stickle for the traditions of the Chicago Style, nodded their heads in austere approval.

From Time Magazine Archive

The world is wondrous fickle; But lately it would stickle For Progress by Exam.

From Punch, or the London Charivari, Volume 100, May 30, 1891 by Various

Here there are still champions of the German claim, whose number is increased by those who stickle for a definite "Low" German origin.

From The Flourishing of Romance and the Rise of Allegory (Periods of European Literature, vol. II) by Saintsbury, George

stickle

Example Sentences

Related Words