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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Ceiling And Wall Mounts Both cameras can be mounted on ceilings, a TV display, on walls or even within a wall for a more subtle presence while ensuring privacy with an automatic shutter that clearly indicates when the cameras are turned off.—
Mark Sparrow,
Forbes.com,
22 Jan. 2026 -
There are subtler blanks besides.—
Dan Sheehan,
Literary Hub,
22 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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After her husband took her pets out of the room, Bloor then faced the even more delicate task of safely removing herself from the bed without alarming the snake.—
Phil Boucher,
PEOPLE,
16 Jan. 2026
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That said, many have a vested interest in inflating their compensation, which makes for a delicate reporting exercise.—
Eben Novy-Williams,
Sportico.com,
15 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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If your home naturally receives plenty of sun, your indoor plants may be perfectly fine.—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
14 Jan. 2026
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If your oven doesn’t have a lot of stains and grease buildup, monthly cleaning should be fine.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
14 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Maybe Knausgaard appeals because his characters—including his most famous character, himself—overprocess the world in the exact way that writers themselves overprocess the world.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
14 Jan. 2026
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McCuistion said the university is still working through what some of those exact offerings will look like.—
Samuel O'Neal,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
13 Jan. 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Hairsplitting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hairsplitting. Accessed 22 Jan. 2026.
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