hairsplitting

adjective

Definition of hairsplittingnext
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
  1. subtle
  2. delicate
  3. fine
  4. exact
Adjective
  • The herbal shiso adds a subtle savory depth, delivering a clean, refreshing balance to the textures and flavor.
    — Angela Hansberger, AJC.com, 7 Aug. 2026
  • Ask someone to review a two-hour video and identify subtle violations, and they are almost guaranteed to miss something.
    — Tal Lev-Ami, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of subtle
Adjective
  • There's a balance between delicate satin, feminine lace and midweight cashmere, thoughtfully combined for interest.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 6 Aug. 2026
  • Bitingly funny in its comedy and wistful in its drama, the film rests on the delicate performance of newcomer Verma, a diminutive, age-appropriate actor who molds Ilyas in captivating ways.
    — Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of delicate
Adjective
  • The five-time Pro Bowler had one of his finest statistical seasons last year, allowing only 15 pressures on 491 pass-blocking snaps, according to Pro Football Focus.
    — Nicki Jhabvala, New York Times, 9 Aug. 2026
  • It’s made of premium—think fine-gauge fibers that don’t itch—merino wool, a naturally thermoregulating material.
    — Katie Jackson, Travel + Leisure, 8 Aug. 2026
Definition of fine
Adjective
  • The distance of the moon from the Earth and the exact shape of the moon —but also of the sun — are critical.
    — Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026
  • State police did not release her exact injuries or provide an update on her condition.
    — Michael Guise, CBS News, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of exact
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.

Browse Nearby Words

hairsplitters
hairsplitting
hairstyle
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Cite this Entry

“Hairsplitting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hairsplitting. Accessed 13 Aug. 2026.

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