1
as in specks
a very small piece
she left only a bit of the broccoli on her plate
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in pieces
a broken or irregular part of something that often remains incomplete
bits of cookie scattered on the table
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in splashes
a very small amount
I'll have only a bit of food right now
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in whiles
an indefinite but usually short period of time
this will only take a bit
Synonyms & Similar Words
5
6
as in treats
something that is pleasing to eat because it is rare or a luxury
wielding silver trays, the servers offered partygoers a variety of exotic-looking bits
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of bits
Every now and then, the hunter’s headphones would ping, registering a metallic hit below ground; though the vast majority of those signals were inconsequential, identifying only bits of scrap iron or old lead bullets.
—
Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 8 May 2026
Advertisement Still, these tender feelings can’t gloss over the gory bits of starting a band.
—Katie Gavin, Time, 8 May 2026
There are interpolated bits of backstory to explain character — Simon and Jack would be left at school over Christmas by their parents (abusive and cold, respectively).
—Robert Lloyd, Boston Herald, 7 May 2026
At the finish of the night, once the final notes have faded and the last bits of confetti have dropped, Eilish, now coming off less like a savior blessing her masses than just another young woman at the end of a tough but rewarding workday, hops into a waiting SUV.
—Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 7 May 2026
The startup achieved data transmission rates of 50 million bits per second (Mbps) over 300 meters across the Clyde River from the Glasgow Science Centre to the Clydeside Distillery.
—IEEE Spectrum, 7 May 2026
One new study looked at how the coloring of microplastics – the tiny bits of plastics found everywhere from our rivers to our brains – may actually be helping increase temperatures.
—Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 7 May 2026
In Van Pelt’s book, Marcellus gets his own chapters to share his story and observations, and transferring these bits into a consistent voiceover narration is yet another example of this smart scripting.
—Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 7 May 2026
Because the Lakers are two losses from blowing it to bits.
—Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 1 May 2026
Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 8 May 2026
Advertisement Still, these tender feelings can’t gloss over the gory bits of starting a band.
—Katie Gavin, Time, 8 May 2026
There are interpolated bits of backstory to explain character — Simon and Jack would be left at school over Christmas by their parents (abusive and cold, respectively).
—Robert Lloyd, Boston Herald, 7 May 2026
At the finish of the night, once the final notes have faded and the last bits of confetti have dropped, Eilish, now coming off less like a savior blessing her masses than just another young woman at the end of a tough but rewarding workday, hops into a waiting SUV.
—Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 7 May 2026
The startup achieved data transmission rates of 50 million bits per second (Mbps) over 300 meters across the Clyde River from the Glasgow Science Centre to the Clydeside Distillery.
—IEEE Spectrum, 7 May 2026
One new study looked at how the coloring of microplastics – the tiny bits of plastics found everywhere from our rivers to our brains – may actually be helping increase temperatures.
—Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 7 May 2026
In Van Pelt’s book, Marcellus gets his own chapters to share his story and observations, and transferring these bits into a consistent voiceover narration is yet another example of this smart scripting.
—Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 7 May 2026
Because the Lakers are two losses from blowing it to bits.
—Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 1 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bits
Noun
-
From the summit of Monte Gambarogno, the towns hugging the shore of Lake Maggiore appear as tiny specks, dwarfed by the snowcapped southern Alps to the north.—
Lisa Kadane,
Travel + Leisure,
1 May 2026
-
Silvery or mottled patches on leaves, brown or distorted petal edges, dark specks (feces) or flower buds that fail to open are signs of thrips.—
Arricca Elin SanSone,
Southern Living,
15 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Take care not to overmix; keeping some larger pieces of tuna in the mix ensures a more satisfying texture, rather than something closer to tuna salad (delicious, just not the goal here).—
Nina Moskowitz,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
10 May 2026
-
These tiny pots can be found on plants, rocks, pieces of wood and other places.—
Pamm Cooper,
Hartford Courant,
9 May 2026
Noun
-
Caffeine powders, energy drink mixes and juice splashes can pile on stimulants and sugar quickly, especially when stacked together in the same drink.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Charlotte Observer,
7 May 2026
-
Morning is generally better than evening, because any splashes have time to dry before nightfall.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Miami Herald,
29 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
UCHealth’s decision to postpone surgeries whiles staff addressed the sterilization problem stands out from other hospitals that have found themselves in similar situations.—
Jessica Seaman,
Denver Post,
17 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Dropping your underwear to flash people and commit lewd acts in front of them is criminal.—
Sean Joseph OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
11 May 2026
-
In 2025, there were 53 law enforcement officers killed in felony acts, and all but 10 of them died from gunshot wounds.—
Sarah N. Lynch,
CBS News,
11 May 2026
Noun
-
Beyond frozen treats, the new shop also serves strawberry cups, chamoy apples and mangonada.—
Brock Keeling,
Oc Register,
7 May 2026
-
Instead of planning ahead, users can prepare frozen treats within a single session, whether for an afternoon snack, a gathering or a last-minute dessert.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
5 May 2026
Noun
-
People can get sick after breathing in contaminated particles that get stirred into the air, especially while cleaning or spending time in places where rodents have been active, like sheds, garages, barns, cabins and storage areas.—
Tiffani Jackson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
7 May 2026
-
Plus, these particles are essential components of modern electronics, powering transistors and high-definition displays in smartphones and computers.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
7 May 2026
Noun
-
Here, the archeologists found tesserae from mosaics, glass fragments, and kitchen pottery.—
Anne Doran,
ARTnews.com,
11 May 2026
-
He is accompanied by the Cubans Piñera and Rodríguez Tomeu, who read fragments of poems in a flowery, exaggerated way.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
11 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bits.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bits. Accessed 13 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
