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, hairsplitting, hairspray, hairspring, hairstreak, hairstyle, hairtail
SYNONYMS FOR hairsplitting
Related forms
hair·split·ter, nounDictionary.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
British Dictionary definitions for hairsplitting
hairsplitting
/ (ˈhɛəˌsplɪtɪŋ) /
noun
the making of petty distinctions
adjective
occupied with or based on petty distinctions
Derived Forms
hairsplitter, nounCollins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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