as in subtle
made or done with extreme care and accuracy
usage experts have attempted to make some hairsplitting distinctions between the two words, but most writers blithely ignore them
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hairsplitting
Adjective
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China reacted angrily Monday to new State Department wording that appeared to indicate a subtle shift in favor of Taipei.—
Christian Shepherd The Washington Post,
arkansasonline.com,
18 Feb. 2025 -
This style can be easily individualized with soft braids, details creating a subtle crown effect.—
Calin Van Paris,
Vogue,
18 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
Special Items Whether antiques, cherished knickknacks, or heirlooms, items that are very delicate and/or precious to the customer are typically items house cleaners won’t want to mess with in order to cut down the risk of damaging them.—
Patricia Shannon,
Southern Living,
9 Feb. 2025
-
This is a delicate balancing act with no easy solutions.—
Yaakov Katz,
Newsweek,
8 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Though the club enters the international break in fine form, in all likelihood, in the big picture, this campaign will, unfortunately, be primarily remembered for the failure of this core Canucks group to coexist and fit together on a durable contending team.—
Thomas Drance,
The Athletic,
9 Feb. 2025
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He’s expected to walk, and his vision is fine, his father said.—
Alaa Elassar,
CNN,
9 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Celine Flared serge jeans in steel blue wash denim $550 Buy Now These are the exact pair of jeans that Kendrick wore to the Super Bowl.—
Aamina Inayat Khan,
StyleCaster,
10 Feb. 2025
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But Lamar’s superpower has long been his unique ability to navigate this exact tension between message and reach: to tell stories of American pain and oppression without coming off as preachy; to challenge audiences lyrically and musically while widening his listenership.—
Andrew R. Chow,
TIME,
10 Feb. 2025
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Thesaurus Entries Near hairsplitting
Cite this Entry
“Hairsplitting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hairsplitting. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
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