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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There are more subtle links between the franchises as well, like the casting of Cameron Brown as the Drone Synth in the film.—
Lauren Huff,
Entertainment Weekly,
8 Nov. 2025 -
Lucky Step Platform Sneakers These brown suede platform sneakers give a subtle lift while staying super comfortable thanks to memory foam insoles and arch support.—
Chaise Sanders,
Travel + Leisure,
8 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Lily Allen strikes a pose in a delicate lace outfit on the carpet at 2025 CFDA Fashion Awards.—
Toria Sheffield,
PEOPLE,
6 Nov. 2025
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The idea worked on paper, but in practice, the alignment was extremely delicate, and the overall setup became unstable and hard to scale.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
6 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Simply pump the handle to cut food into fine, chunky, or coarse bits as needed.—
Sian Babish,
PEOPLE,
10 Nov. 2025
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Daniel Craig plays the detective Benoit Blanc, a southern gentleman with a deep drawl and a love of fine linen suits.—
Anna Russell,
New Yorker,
10 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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While the exact details of the deal are unknown, it was reported that Sony made an initial $25 million profit from producing the film for Netflix.—
Dylan Butts,
CNBC,
11 Nov. 2025
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The exact placement of that narrow band will determine who could see a few inches and who might see more than a foot.—
Briana Waxman,
CNN Money,
10 Nov. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Hairsplitting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hairsplitting. Accessed 20 Nov. 2025.
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