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splitting hairs

VERB

make an extremely fine distinction

Synonyms

WEAK

cavil chop logic make a fine distinction nitpick pick nits quibble refine a distinction sharpen a distinction subtilize

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.

While it may seem like splitting hairs to re-classify two populations of snakes that look identical to one another, Fry emphasizes how important such delineations can be for understanding the threats posed to these creatures.

From National Geographic • Feb. 16, 2024

“The bottom line is we’re basically just splitting hairs here,” Nelson added.

From Seattle Times • Apr. 18, 2023

It would also be an affirmation that, when it comes down to splitting hairs, great awards ceremonies should be about celebration of greatness in toto, not simply as a zero-sum game.

From Salon • Mar. 11, 2023

Here you are splitting hairs like someone on reality TV attempting to expose her competitors for not being there for “the right reasons.”

From Slate • May 25, 2020

This logic may seem like splitting hairs, like an argument as mystical as Newton's “ghosts,” but in reality it’s not.

From "Zero: The Biography of a Dangerous Idea" by Charles Seife