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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His celebration was subtle yet suave, a drop of his bat with a flick of his wrist.—
Justice delos Santos,
Mercury News,
13 Sep. 2025 -
This is clearly a quick screen and may not pick up more subtle issues.—
Bruce Y. Lee,
Forbes.com,
13 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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At breakfast, expect Okinawan-style waffles with sweet red beans, Vietnamese pho, and delicate local tofu.—
Kaila Yu,
Forbes.com,
12 Sep. 2025
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The rising sun turned the snow a delicate pink, and beads of frost glittered like diamonds on the trees.—
Jack Atcheson Sr. as told to Michael Hanback,
Outdoor Life,
11 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The sharp-yet-flexible points and buildable tint leave behind a trio of micro-fine strokes that, when brushed along your arches, blend seamlessly with your natural hairs.—
Sophia Panych,
Allure,
16 Sep. 2025
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Before all that happened, though, there was the eight-course dinner, which went totally fine as predicted.—
Rafaela Bassili,
Vulture,
16 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The immersive room can simulate everything from a choose-your-own-adventure medical crisis to the exact bedroom a kid will return to after their hospital visit.—
Katherine Fung,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 Sep. 2025
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That’s the exact question NFL icon Tom Brady raised last week.—
Don Yaeger,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Hairsplitting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hairsplitting. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.
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