Stickle Meaning in English

word

US

ˈstɪkəɫ

STIK-uhl

UK

stˈɪkəl

st-IK-uhl

Definition

To argue or insist about trivial or minor details, rather than focusing on the main point.

Usage & Nuances

Very formal and rare in modern speech—more likely to be found in older literature. Used when someone is being nitpicky or overly concerned with trivialities. Often collocates with 'over' or 'at' (e.g., 'stickle over small details').

• Spanish: discutir detalladamente - insistir (en un detalle menor)
• Portuguese (BR): discutir minúcias - insistir (em detalhes)
• Portuguese (PT): discutir pormenores - insistir (em detalhes menores)
• Chinese (Simplified): 为小事争论 - 拘泥于小节
• Chinese (Traditional): 為小事爭論 - 拘泥於小節
• Hindi: छोटी बातों पर अड़ना - बारीकी से बहस करना
• Arabic: يغالي في التفاصيل - يتمسك بالتفاصيل الصغيرة
• Bengali: তুচ্ছ বিষয়ে তর্ক করা - খুঁটিনাটি নিয়ে ঝগড়া করা
• Russian: придираться к мелочам - спорить о пустяках
• Japanese: 細かいことにこだわる - 小さなことに口うるさく言う
• Vietnamese: bới móc chi tiết nhỏ - tranh cãi chuyện vụn vặt
• Korean: 사소한 것에 집착하다 - 시시한 것에 따지다
• Turkish: önemsiz ayrıntılara takılmak - küçük şeyler üzerinde ısrar etmek
• Urdu: چھوٹی چھوٹی باتوں پر بحث کرنا - معمولی چیزوں میں الجھنا
• Indonesian: memperdebatkan hal sepele - bersikeras pada detail kecil

Example Sentences

Please don't stickle over every little mistake.

basic

They stickle at minor differences in wording.

basic

Don't stickle when we need to agree quickly.

basic

She tends to stickle over things that really don't matter.

natural

We can't afford to stickle at every detail if we want to finish today.

natural

When it comes to contracts, lawyers often stickle over the tiniest points.

natural