splinter

noun

Save Word

splin·ter | \ ˈsplin-tər

Definition of splinter

(Entry 1 of 2)

1a : a thin piece split or broken off lengthwise : sliver

b : a small needlelike particle

2 : a group or faction broken away from a parent body

splinter

verb

splintered; splintering\ ˈsplin-tə-riŋ

, -triŋ \

Definition of splinter (Entry 2 of 2)

transitive verb

1 : to split or rend into long thin pieces : shiver

2 : to split into fragments, parts, or factions

intransitive verb

: to become splintered

Other Words from splinter Synonyms Example Sentences Phrases Containing splinter Learn More About splinter

Synonyms for splinter

Synonyms: Noun

Synonyms: Verb

slice,
sliver

Examples of splinter in a Sentence

Noun I got a splinter in my finger. There were splinters of glass everywhere. Verb The board splintered under his weight. The impact of the crash splintered the glass. groups that have splintered off to form new political movements a political party that has been splintered by disagreements See More

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun Its militant threat remains, diffused and scattered across the world through a range of splinter groups. — Ishaan Tharoor, Washington Post, 2 Aug. 2022 In recent years, schisms over how to commemorate Stonewall have opened, spawning splinter groups events intended to be more protest-oriented. — Bobby Caina Calvan, USA TODAY, 27 June 2022 In recent years, schisms over how to commemorate Stonewall have opened, spawning splinter groups events intended to be more protest-oriented. — Bobby Caina Calvan, Anchorage Daily News, 27 June 2022 One of the principal routes north runs along Mexico’s Gulf coast, where splinter groups from the Gulf Cartel have taken control of migrant smuggling. — Juan Carlos Rivera, WSJ, 1 July 2022 In recent years, schisms over how to commemorate Stonewall have opened, spawning splinter groups events intended to be more protest-oriented. — Bobby Caina Calvan, USA TODAY, 27 June 2022 In recent years, schisms over how to commemorate Stonewall have opened, spawning splinter groups events intended to be more protest-oriented. — Bobby Caina Calvan, Anchorage Daily News, 27 June 2022 In recent years, schisms over how to commemorate Stonewall have opened, spawning splinter groups events intended to be more protest-oriented. — Bobby Caina Calvan, USA TODAY, 27 June 2022 In recent years, schisms over how to commemorate Stonewall have opened, spawning splinter groups events intended to be more protest-oriented. — Bobby Caina Calvan, Anchorage Daily News, 27 June 2022 Recent Examples on the Web: Verb Vladimir Putin hoped that invading Ukraine would make NATO splinter, but the alliance has been energized and is now set to expand. — The Editorial Board, WSJ, 19 Apr. 2022 Plastic in the ocean is constantly being degraded; even something as big and buoyant as a milk jug will eventually shed and splinter into microplastics. — New York Times, 3 Apr. 2022 When the men’s lead pack began to splinter in the final miles, Noah Droddy managed to maintain contact, more or less, with Hehir until the finish. — Martin Fritz Huber, Outside Online, 21 Dec. 2020 The night, maybe the season, didn’t splinter because Bobrovsky didn’t. — Dave Hyde, Sun Sentinel, 6 May 2022 Scambos said that for a long time the ice shelf had been wedged against an island, with the same effect as putting too much pressure on a piece of wood that later begins to splinter. — Rachel Ramirez And Hafsa Khalil, CNN, 25 Mar. 2022 But their impromptu date begins to splinter — and then shatter — when the music distorts, and none other than Carrey’s voice seeps in. — Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 5 Apr. 2022 The amnesty marks a significant development in a conflict that has threatened to splinter a key ally in the U.S.’s antiterrorism operations in the region. — Nicholas Bariyo, WSJ, 8 Jan. 2022 As immunity ebbs and flows, our fates will continue to splinter, at the level of both individual and population alike. — Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 21 Jan. 2022 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'splinter.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Learn More About splinter

Dictionary Entries Near splinter

splint coal

splinter

splinter bar

Statistics for splinter

Last Updated

7 Aug 2022

Cite this Entry

“Splinter.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/splinter. Accessed 14 Aug. 2022.

Style: MLA

MLA

Chicago

APA

Merriam-Webster Check Mark Icon

More Definitions for splinter

splinter

noun

splin·ter | \ ˈsplin-tər

Kids Definition of splinter

(Entry 1 of 2)

: a thin piece split or torn off lengthwise : sliver

splinter

verb

splintered; splintering

Kids Definition of splinter (Entry 2 of 2)

: to break into slivers Peter and Judy covered their ears as sounds of splintering wood and breaking china filled the house.— Chris Van Allsburg, Jumanji

splinter

noun

splin·ter | \ ˈsplint-ər