| hypercriticize(dispute, avoid, shift, wrangle, carp) |
| make a big thing about(expression, idiom, shift, wrangle, waffle) |
| misapply |
| nit-pick(dispute, avoid, shift, wrangle, carp) |
| pervert |
| pettifog(verb, dispute, shift, hedge, wrangle) |
| pretend(dispute, avoid, shift, wrangle, carp) |
| prevaricate(dispute, avoid, shift, wrangle, carp) |
| put up an argument(expression, idiom, shift, wrangle, waffle) |
| quibble(verb, dispute, shift, disagree, jiving) |
| rationalize |
| set to(expression, dispute, shift, wrangle, waffle) |
| shift(dispute, avoid, hedge, wrangle, carp) |
| spar(dispute, shift, hedge, wrangle, carp) |
| split hairs(expression, shift, wrangle, carp, waffle) |
| talk back(expression, dispute, shift, wrangle, waffle) |
| waffle(dispute, avoid, shift, hedge, wrangle) |
| wrangle(dispute, shift, hedge, waffle, spar) |
| be pedantic(hedge, equivocate, nitpick) |
| falsely |