noun
the action or practice of making fine distinctions unnecessarily
adjective
characterized by excessive attention to minor details
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The lawyer's hairsplitting arguments in court helped secure a favorable outcome for his client.
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Stop with the hairsplitting and just tell me what you want for dinner.
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I can't stand all this hairsplitting over such a small detail.
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His hairsplitting approach to problem-solving often leads to unnecessary complications.