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
-
With her signature long waves gathered into a subtle bun at the nape of her neck, this style puts the focus on the sculptural wave framing Seyfried's face opposite a deep side part.—
Grace McCarty,
Glamour,
12 Jan. 2026 -
Grande wore a glossy pink shade on her lips, sculpted cheeks with subtle shimmer, and long lashes.—
Audrey Noble,
Vogue,
12 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
This delicate balance allows massive galaxies to stay dormant for billions of years, even when star-forming material is present.—
Rupendra Brahambhatt,
Interesting Engineering,
10 Jan. 2026
-
Ballerina styles, those with lace-up construction, are emerging as a standout, adding a delicate, fashion-forward touch while remaining practical.—
Gabrielle Porcaro,
Travel + Leisure,
10 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
The American brand has been manufacturing customizable stationery and fine leather goods since 1969.—
Kristina Rutkowski,
Vogue,
6 Jan. 2026
-
That's fine by Rodgers, who knows a thing or two about sneaking in the playoffs and going on a run.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
6 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Although the venue’s exact location within Victoria Park is yet to be finalized, early studies by an an independent panel suggested that the stadium would occupy between 12% and 13% of its land.—
Oscar Holland,
CNN Money,
7 Jan. 2026
-
The data below doesn’t include exact employee counts and is based on the most recent reports.—
Nick Wooten,
Dallas Morning News,
6 Jan. 2026
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Cite this Entry
“Hairsplitting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hairsplitting. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share