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
  • Every belt buckle looks freshly yanked off the rack; every speck of signage resembles something painted 45 minutes before filming commenced that day.
    — Michael Phillips, Variety, 8 Oct. 2026
  • The period is 2006, when the golden age of streamable content is barely a speck on the media horizon.
    — Justin Chang, New Yorker, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of speck
Noun
  • Before looking at groundwater, the team tested similar sensors to guide breast cancer surgery and to image root systems in plant biology.
    — Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Vest’s campus roots Ma, 25, became interested in crypto derivatives while studying finance and philosophy at the University of Pennsylvania.
    — Camila Grigera Naón, Fortune, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of root
Noun
  • As few as 10 cells, hidden in an infinitesimal fleck of feces, can contaminate raw milk and trigger a fatal infection.
    — CNN Money, CNN Money, 1 Oct. 2026
  • The oversized jacket featured a furry white base adorned with flecks of silver, which beautifully mirrored the sumptuous coats on the runway.
    — Chanel Vargas, InStyle, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of fleck
Noun
  • The story follows a celebrated pediatric heart surgeon whose daughter falls prey to a vengeful ghost.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 10 Oct. 2026
  • The nine suites sell out far in advance, especially if there's a popular event in the city, so book well ahead if your heart is set on staying here.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of heart
Noun
  • Rooms decor is sophisticated, and not in the slightest bit stuffy.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 12 Oct. 2026
  • There was the title, an obvious nod to the first Zuckerberg film, and ads used bits of Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross’ score.
    — Brent Lang, IndieWire, 11 Oct. 2026
Definition of bit
Noun
  • The core mission of the SSC is to move personnel and material off amphibious ships.
    — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 11 Oct. 2026
  • The market kept its core strands and added ProducerHub, InnoAsia, Doc Square and The A, and these drew people who had never attended a market before.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 10 Oct. 2026
Definition of core
Noun
  • Neutrinos bump into other particles only rarely, so scientists build large detectors to improve their odds of catching collisions.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Detecting cosmic ghosts Neutrinos are the second-most prevalent particles in the entire universe besides photons, particles of light.
    — Robert Lea, Space.com, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of particle
Noun
  • These microscopic fuel kernels retain radioactive material even under extreme temperatures.
    — Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 7 Oct. 2026
  • According to Farmers’ Almanac, the kernel takes one of three shapes, each representing a different forecast.
    — Tricia Goss, Southern Living, 7 Oct. 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 14 Oct. 2026.

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