Hairsplitting and Trivial

Hairsplitting

Hairsplitting adjective - Made or done with extreme care and accuracy.
Usage example: usage experts have attempted to make some hairsplitting distinctions between the two words, but most writers blithely ignore them

Trivial and hairsplitting are semantically related. In some cases you can use "Trivial" instead an adjective "Hairsplitting".

Trivial

Trivial adjective - So small or unimportant as to warrant little or no attention.
Usage example: figured that restaurant customers wouldn't notice such a trivial surcharge on their bill

Hairsplitting and trivial are semantically related. Sometimes you can use "Hairsplitting" instead an adjective "Trivial".

Nearby Words: triviality, trivialize, trivially
Cite this Source
Trivial and Hairsplitting. (2016). Retrieved 2026, August 01, from https://thesaurus.plus/related/hairsplitting/trivial
Hairsplitting & Trivial. N.p., 2016. Web. 01 Aug. 2026. <https://thesaurus.plus/related/hairsplitting/trivial>.
Trivial or Hairsplitting. 2016. Accessed August 01, 2026. https://thesaurus.plus/related/hairsplitting/trivial.
Google Ngram Viewer shows how "hairsplitting" and "trivial" have occurred on timeline