hairsplitting
[hair-split-ing]
noun
the making of unnecessarily fine distinctions.
adjective
characterized by such distinctions: the hairsplitting arguments of a political debate.
Origin of hairsplitting
Synonyms for hairsplitting
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Related Words for hairsplitting
faultfinding, pettiness, sophistry, carping, perfectionism, bickering, quibblingExamples from the Web for hairsplitting
Historical Examples of hairsplitting
Of what practical use then, it may be asked, is all this hairsplitting?
Some Principles of Maritime StrategyJulian Stafford Corbett
Hairsplitting terms like this I do not often employ, but, blessings on the head of Cadmus!
Games for the Playground, Home, School and GymnasiumJessie H. Bancroft
The mass of the party, he said, did not trouble their heads about theories, but plodded along unmindful of hairsplitting.
Socialism and Democracy in EuropeSamuel P. Orth
It was fine legal reasoning, not without some of that hairsplitting for which Jefferson reproached Randolph.
Thomas JeffersonGilbert Chinard
hairsplitting
noun
adjective
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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