Synonyms

split hairs

Cultural

To argue about an inconsequential and trivial aspect of an issue: “When you are accused of being forty-five minutes late for an appointment, you are splitting hairs to say that you were really only forty minutes late.”

split hairs Idioms

Make trivial distinctions, quibble, as in Let's not split hairs about whose turn it is; I'll close up today and you do it tomorrow. This metaphoric idiom transfers dividing so fine an object as a single hair to other petty divisions. [Second half of 1600s]

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.

Given the bottlenecks, data centers might care more about speed than split hairs about cost.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 5, 2025

It might sound pedantic to split hairs about the conspiracy theories that drive extremists like Mohn to do despicable things.

From Slate • Feb. 12, 2024

A clear-eyed overview of the nuclear industry and the Japanese disaster doesn’t split hairs over the risk: It can happen here.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 6, 2022

Not to split hairs, but I don’t have a nightstand.

From New York Times • Jul. 16, 2020

She was well aware that the “hoorays” made five cheers, not three, but there was no need to split hairs.

From "The Interrupted Tale" by Maryrose Wood

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023