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hairsplitting vs distinction

distinction vs hairsplitting

hairsplitting and distinction both are nouns.

hairsplitting is an adjective but distinction is not an adjective.

Word NounAdjectiveVerbAdverb
hairsplitting Yes Yes No No
distinction Yes No No No
As nouns, distinction is a hypernym of hairsplitting; that is, distinction is a word with a broader meaning than hairsplitting:
  • hairsplitting: making too fine distinctions of little importance
  • distinction: a discrimination between things as different and distinct on the basis of their characteristics or attributes
Other hypernyms of hairsplitting include differentiation.
hairsplitting (noun) distinction (noun)
making too fine distinctions of little importance a distinguishing difference between similar things or people
a discrimination between things as different and distinct on the basis of their characteristics or attributes
an honor awarded to someone in recognition of achievement or superiority
high status importance owing to marked superiority
hairsplitting (adjective) distinction (adjective)
developed in excessively fine detail
Difference between hairsplitting and distinction

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