hairsplitting
[ hair-split-ing ]
/ ˈhɛərˌsplɪt ɪŋ /
noun
the making of unnecessarily fine distinctions.
adjective
characterized by such distinctions: the hairsplitting arguments of a political debate.
RELATED WORDS
Nearby words
- hairline fracture,
- hairnet,
- hairpiece,
- hairpin,
- hairsbreadth,
- hairspray,
- hairspring,
- hairstreak,
- hairstyle,
- hairstylist
Origin of hairsplitting
SYNONYMS FOR hairsplitting
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for hairsplitting
It was fine legal reasoning, not without some of that hairsplitting for which Jefferson reproached Randolph.
Thomas Jefferson|Gilbert ChinardHairsplitting terms like this I do not often employ, but, blessings on the head of Cadmus!
Games for the Playground, Home, School and Gymnasium|Jessie H. BancroftOf what practical use then, it may be asked, is all this hairsplitting?
Some Principles of Maritime Strategy|Julian Stafford CorbettThe mass of the party, he said, did not trouble their heads about theories, but plodded along unmindful of hairsplitting.
Socialism and Democracy in Europe|Samuel P. Orth
hairsplitting
/ (ˈhɛəˌsplɪtɪŋ) /
noun
the making of petty distinctions
adjective
occupied with or based on petty distinctions
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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