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

Derived Forms

• ˈhairˌsplitter, noun

Other Words From

• hairsplitter noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of hairsplitting¹

First recorded in 1820–30; hair + splitting

Example Sentences

Secondly, you must not think too little of it, by regarding the matter as mere scholastic word-mongery and useless hairsplitting.

From Project Gutenberg

It was fine legal reasoning, not without some of that hairsplitting for which Jefferson reproached Randolph.

From Project Gutenberg

But, to avoid hairsplitting, what we call "modern" English literature may be said to date from about 1885.

From Project Gutenberg

Hairsplitting terms like this I do not often employ, but, blessings on the head of Cadmus!

From Project Gutenberg

The mass of the party, he said, did not trouble their heads about theories, but plodded along unmindful of hairsplitting.

From Project Gutenberg