hair-splitting
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
In his written judgement, Mr Justice Knowles said the grounds on which the panel had rejected the judge's application for relocation amounted to "semantic hair-splitting".
From BBC • Mar. 6, 2024
VOA’s stance has led to some intricate hair-splitting.
From Washington Times • Oct. 25, 2023
“I was a hair-splitting moralist, judgmental and proud,” he admits.
From Washington Post • Nov. 29, 2022
The court’s hair-splitting exercise illustrates what one judge called an “Escherian Stairwell.”
From Slate • Oct. 18, 2021
It is well to listen to the voice of the spirit, to cease hair-splitting and treat one's self to a good square antipathy—when it is so very sympathetic!
From The Letters of Henry James (volume I) by James, Henry
