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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.

But Kirby's response to the horror at the refugee camp is "mincing words" and "splitting hairs," argued Parkinson.

From Salon • May 30, 2024

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

“He has a way of splitting hairs and threading the needle that has paid off in the past.”

From Seattle Times • Mar. 29, 2021

That might read as if I’m splitting hairs.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 15, 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