adverb
- in a manner characterized by quibbling over petty details or using trivial, evasive arguments; in a way that shows dishonest or unethical legal practice
Usage: formal; often pejorative
Examples
- The lawyer argued pettifoggingly, focusing on minor technicalities rather than the substance of the case.
- He pettifoggingly objected to every clause in the contract, delaying the negotiation unnecessarily.
- She responded pettifoggingly to the question, avoiding a direct answer with irrelevant details.
- The witness testified pettifoggingly, splitting hairs over word definitions instead of addressing the main issue.
- They pettifoggingly disputed the contract terms, raising trivial objections at every turn.