hairsplitting

[ hair-split-ing ]

/ ˈhɛərˌsplɪt ɪŋ /

SEE SYNONYMS FOR hairsplitting ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

the making of unnecessarily fine distinctions.

adjective

characterized by such distinctions: the hairsplitting arguments of a political debate.

Origin of hairsplitting

First recorded in 1820–30; hair + splitting

SYNONYMS FOR hairsplitting

2 quibbling, niggling, nitpicking, captious.

SEE SYNONYMS FOR hairsplitting ON THESAURUS.COM

OTHER WORDS FROM hairsplitting

hair·split·ter, noun

Words nearby hairsplitting

hairline fracture, hairnet, hairpiece, hairpin, hairsbreadth, hairsplitting, hairspray, hairspring, hairstreak, hairstyle, hairtail

Example sentences from the Web for hair-splitting

Much of the theological dispute might seem like hair-splitting, but the stakes were high.

Plotting Nicea III Could Be Pope Francis's Masterstroke |Candida Moss |June 8, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
This distinction, although of course logically correct, is hair-splitting.

International Law. A Treatise. Volume II (of 2) |Lassa Francis Oppenheim
If they were hair-splitting in their definitions and distinctions, they were at least clear and precise.

Beacon Lights of History, Volume V |John Lord
She was full of the hair-splitting fancies of young girlhood in their estimate of a man.

The Debtor |Mary E. Wilkins Freeman

I know your hair-splitting habit; I at once anticipate your reply.

The Dodd Family Abroad, Vol. II.(of II) |Charles James Lever
But he disliked the corrupt method of his countrymen, who indulged in hair-splitting, casuistry, and subtleties.

History of the Jews, Vol. V (of 6) |Heinrich Graetz

British Dictionary definitions for hair-splitting

hairsplitting

/ (ˈhɛəˌsplɪtɪŋ) /

noun

the making of petty distinctions

adjective

occupied with or based on petty distinctions

Derived forms of hairsplitting

hairsplitter, noun

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Learning

hairsplitting

noun

adjective

Origin of hairsplitting

SYNONYMS FOR hairsplitting

OTHER WORDS FROM hairsplitting

Words nearby hairsplitting

Example sentences from the Web for hair-splitting

British Dictionary definitions for hair-splitting

noun

adjective

Derived forms of hairsplitting

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Learning

hairsplitting

noun

adjective

Origin of hairsplitting

SYNONYMS FOR hairsplitting

OTHER WORDS FROM hairsplitting

Words nearby hairsplitting

Words related to hair-splitting

Example sentences from the Web for hair-splitting

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noun

adjective

Derived forms of hairsplitting

British Dictionary definitions for hair-splitting