What is another word for hairsplitting?

Pronunciation: [hˈe͡əsplɪtɪŋ] (IPA)

When it comes to describing someone who is obsessively focused on minor details, there are several synonyms that come to mind. For instance, nitpicking is a great alternative to hairsplitting, as it emphasizes the tendency to pick on small faults or errors. Similarly, pedantry or over-scrupulousness convey a sense of being overly concerned with details and minutiae. Other synonyms for hairsplitting include hypercritical, fastidious, meticulous, and exacting. No matter which word you use, they all describe someone who is excessively focused on small details and has a tendency to overlook the bigger picture.

Synonyms for Hairsplitting:

What are the hypernyms for Hairsplitting?

A hypernym is a word with a broad meaning that encompasses more specific words called hyponyms.

What are the hyponyms for Hairsplitting?

Hyponyms are more specific words categorized under a broader term, known as a hypernym.

What are the opposite words for hairsplitting?

Hairsplitting, defined as overly focusing on minor details or distinctions, can be contrasted with antonyms such as broad-mindedness, flexibility, and open-mindedness. These terms suggest a willingness to consider multiple perspectives without fixation on small nuances. Other antonyms may include simplicity, clarity, and straightforwardness. These qualities involve conveying information in a clear and concise manner without getting bogged down by trivial matters. While hairsplitting may be beneficial in certain contexts, such as legal or scientific debates, it can hinder effective communication and problem-solving in other areas. Therefore, broadening one's perspective and adopting more flexible approaches can improve relationships and collaborative efforts.

Usage examples for Hairsplitting

The same Talmud that fills chapter after chapter with minute legal details and hairsplitting debates outlines with a few strokes the most ideal conception of life, worth more than theories and systems of religious philosophy.
"Jewish Literature and Other Essays"
Gustav Karpeles
This being a fact as plain and large as the sun, it is needless to consider the hairsplitting debates of the economists as to whether the condition of this or that class of the masses in this or that country was a grain better or two grains worse than it had been.
"Equality"
Edward Bellamy
Of what practical use then, it may be asked, is all this hairsplitting?
"Some Principles of Maritime Strategy"
Julian Stafford Corbett

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