hair-splitter

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.

His judges considered him as an unreasonable man, a gifted sophist fertile in inventing objections in and out of season, a hair-splitter perpetually arguing for argument's sake.

From Fray Luis de León A Biographical Fragment by Fitzmaurice-Kelly, James

Evidently, coroner and doctor were inclined to be testy with each other, and the newspaper report left the impression that Dr. Scaife was a hair-splitter.

From The House 'Round the Corner by Tracy, Louis

"You are the hair-splitter this time," said he, ruefully.

From The Booming of Acre Hill And Other Reminiscences of Urban and Suburban Life by Bangs, John Kendrick

So severely dialectical was he that he seemed to be a hair-splitter.

From Beacon Lights of History, Volume 01 The Old Pagan Civilizations by Lord, John

Folks say she's a regular hair-splitter when it comes to settlements.

From Dixie Hart by Harben, Will N. (William Nathaniel)