Definitions

1. adjective

having or showing a tendency to find fault or to criticize in a petty or unpleasant way

“The captious critic’s review ruined the author’s confidence.”

2. noun

a fault-finding or captious person

“The captious friend always seems to find something wrong with our plans.”

3. verb

to find fault or criticize in a petty or unpleasant way

“She was accused of captious behavior by her colleagues.”