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nubbin

noun

ˈnə-bən How to pronounce nubbin (audio)
Definition of nubbinnext
1
as in speck
a very small piece had only a nubbin of crayon left

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in root
the central part or aspect of something under consideration this nubbin of the intelligence report is the prediction that the country's government will soon fall

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 nubbin Secchi’s ragù is the opposite of bouncy meat nubbins bobbing in tomato sauce. — Chris Morocco, Bon Appetit Magazine, 16 Apr. 2025 Double-tapping the nubbin now pops up a menu with volume and microphone controls and voice typing. — PCMAG, 17 Jan. 2025 Ground nubbins of paprika, cumin, sage and black pepper that have moldered into flavorless, colored molecules. — Scott Hocker, theweek, 23 Dec. 2024 Heffernan, a gravely captivating newcomer, wraps each expression and gesture around a hard little nubbin of distrust. — Justin Chang, The New Yorker, 25 Oct. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nubbin
  1. speck
  2. root
  3. fleck
  4. heart
  5. bit
  6. core
  7. particle
  8. kernel
Noun
  • Calcium shows up as bright white specks on the coronary artery images.
    — Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Pulse a few times, until crumbs range in size from specks to peas.
    — Leah Eskin, Midwest Living, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of speck
Noun
  • Legion targets contested airspace The system’s roots stretch back to Lockheed Martin’s earlier IRST work.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 17 Sep. 2026
  • Many South Koreans believe the government needs to do more to address the root causes behind the epidemic.
    — Will Barker, TheWeek, 16 Sep. 2026
Definition of root
Noun
  • Some kits include stone-like chips or flecks to scatter over the surface of the wet paint for a realistic effect.
    — Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 8 Sep. 2026
  • Hundreds of flecks of sequins caught the light as Jenner made her way down the red carpet, glittering from every angle.
    — Chanel Vargas, InStyle, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of fleck
Noun
  • Following a short outpatient procedure, the device sits under his skin on his chest, similar to a heart pacemaker.
    — Pamela McLoughlin, Hartford Courant, 11 Sep. 2026
  • Our hearts continue to be with the families and loved ones of those who were killed, and with the entire Miami-Dade community enduring an unimaginable time.
    — David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of heart
Noun
  • The 3-1 margin of victory could have been wider had City not at times missed that final bit of polish at Joie Stadium.
    — Katie Whyatt, New York Times, 7 Sep. 2026
  • The Prince and Princess of Wales have been largely out of the spotlight recently, spending the remaining bits of the summer with their three children before school begins for each.
    — Rachel Burchfield, InStyle, 6 Sep. 2026
Definition of bit
Noun
  • Yarbo later acknowledged the core technical findings and began rolling out fixes.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 5 Sep. 2026
  • But the core four aren’t the only transplants from Woodsboro, as Ghostface soon rears its ugly head, directly targeting them and whomever else is caught up in their orbit.
    — Michael Lee Simpson, Entertainment Weekly, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of core
Noun
  • This holds even when the two particles are separated by a large distance from each other, prompting Einstein to call this behavior ‘spooky’.
    — Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 15 Sep. 2026
  • But those procedures can also send plastic particles down the drain — waste that South Florida’s wastewater systems aren’t designed to catch.
    — Laurie Mermet, Miami Herald, 15 Sep. 2026
Definition of particle
Noun
  • Testing fuel layer by layer TRISO, or tristructural isotropic fuel, uses a fuel kernel surrounded by multiple coating layers.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 4 Sep. 2026
  • The grain is smaller than wheat, for example, and farmers and researchers are still finding the best ways to adapt farm equipment so the kernel isn't damaged during harvest.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of kernel

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Cite this Entry

“Nubbin.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nubbin. Accessed 19 Sep. 2026.

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