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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Another camera, an eye tuned to the subtle strangeness of an otherwise ordinary day—someone or something, somewhere, must have caught a glimmer of the truth.—
Vinson Cunningham,
New Yorker,
1 Apr. 2026 -
Vice President Vance, who is considered an isolationist, expressed private skepticism ahead of the attacks, and his relative silence during the first weeks of the war was perceived as a subtle way of distancing himself from the conflict.—
Jonathan Lemire,
The Atlantic,
1 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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The paramedic suddenly had to balance the urgency of a wartime emergency with the delicate, critical first steps of childbirth.—
Eric Mack,
FOXNews.com,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Miranda's fingers are elegant, delicate as bird bones.—
Danielle Parker,
CBS News,
2 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The Henry Clay Frick House, er, mansion, spans an entire city block along Fifth Avenue—and nearly every inch is filled with the art enthusiast’s collection of old master paintings and fine furniture.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
30 Mar. 2026
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The charges against him each carry a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and fine of $10,000.—
Mirna Alsharif,
NBC news,
29 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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The Census Bureau will collect exact population counts during the next official census in 2030, unless a community requests a special census before then.—
Chris Higgins,
Kansas City Star,
30 Mar. 2026
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The exact address is 7628 Corina Drive, but just look on Spur 341 along the Naval Air Station runway 1 mile north of Interstate 30; 682-255-5370.—
Bud Kennedy,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
30 Mar. 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Hairsplitting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hairsplitting. Accessed 4 Apr. 2026.
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