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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hairsplitting
Adjective
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Kennedy’s subversion of vaccines, subtle at times, glaring at others, goes far beyond the measles outbreak.—
Nicholas Florko,
The Atlantic,
14 Mar. 2025 -
Struggling to read greens by consistently missing left or right is aided by digital green readers that retrain your brain to read the subtle undulations of the green.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
14 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Reviewers rave about this set’s soft feel and delicate appearance.—
Genevieve Cepeda,
Travel + Leisure,
17 Mar. 2025
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Produced by the China Academy of Art, School of Animation and Games, the film explores the delicate balance between personal desires and societal expectations.—
Jamie Lang,
Variety,
17 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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And Racing Bull's Yuki Tsunoda demonstrated that he probably should have been promoted to the Red Bull team with a fine 5th place in qualifying that sadly did not translate to points in the race.—
Ars Technica,
Ars Technica,
17 Mar. 2025
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Located on the second floor of the four-story Rong Zhai, the Prada eatery will offer an all-day café service alongside a fine dining experience.—
Denni Hu,
WWD,
17 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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While the exact circumstances surrounding the collision are unknown, Dicus said, 23-year-old Marcelline Demyan, the driver of the other vehicle involved in the collision, told CBS News Los Angeles that her car was hit after turning left at a traffic light.—
Gabrielle Rockson,
People.com,
18 Mar. 2025
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As with the stadium, the exact source of funding is unclear, even if the desire to build both is there, though neither is likely to be completed until well into the 2030s.—
Chris Waugh,
The Athletic,
18 Mar. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Hairsplitting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hairsplitting. Accessed 25 Mar. 2025.
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