What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
faultfinder
Example
He is such a faultfinder, he can never appreciate anything anyone does. [faultfinder: noun]
Example
She was faultfinding with everything I did, it was hard to please her. [faultfinding: gerund or present participle]
nitpicker
Example
He is such a nitpicker, he always finds something wrong with even the smallest details. [nitpicker: noun]
Example
She spent hours nitpicking over the color of the font, it was frustrating. [nitpicking: gerund or present participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Faultfinder is more commonly used than nitpicker in everyday language. Faultfinder is a more well-known term and is often used to describe someone who is consistently negative and critical of others. Nitpicker is less common and may be seen as a more specific or niche term.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between faultfinder and nitpicker?
Both faultfinder and nitpicker are informal terms and are not typically used in formal contexts. They are more likely to be used in casual conversations or informal writing.