cavil

To criticise for petty or frivolous reasons.intransitive

• 'Tis love you cavil at: I am not Love.
• The provision, then, which we have here made is no other than Human Nature. Nor do I fear that my sensible reader, though most luxurious in his taste, will start, cavil, or be offended, because I have named but one article.

A petty or trivial objection or criticism.

• It is not worth while to spend your time in arguing against a cavil, but make him feel he is committing a sin to plead it, and thus enlist his conscience on your side.