hairsplitting

[hair-split-ing]

noun

1. the making of unnecessarily fine distinctions.

adjective

1. characterized by such distinctions.

   the hairsplitting arguments of a political debate.

   Synonyms: captious, niggling, quibbling

hairsplitting

/ ˈhɛəˌsplɪtɪŋ /

noun

1. the making of petty distinctions

adjective

1. occupied with or based on petty distinctions

Other Word Forms

• hairsplitter noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of hairsplitting¹

First recorded in 1820–30; hair + splitting

Example Sentences

But Oedipus is in no mood for academic hairsplitting.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Blame hairsplitting among generally like-minded Democrats and the lack of any real GOP competition to spur a deep and meaningful discussion.

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These arguably hairsplitting thoughts nagged at me thanks to my job as a congressional correspondent focused on federal spending.

Read more on New York Times

This may seem like hairsplitting, but it is not without import.

Read more on Washington Post

This may sound like hairsplitting, but when it comes to Verdi’s longest opera, less is less, even with a strong cast like the Met’s for this revival.

Read more on New York Times