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
  • Tucked into the foothills above Point Dome, the property is listed for a speck under $5 million.
    — Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 17 July 2026
  • Rather than waiting several years to look at the object through the VLT once more, Sutlieff, Bonse and their colleagues dove into older, archival imagery of the star system, looking for signs of their speck.
    — Adam Kovac, Scientific American, 15 July 2026
Definition of speck
Noun
  • The Northernmost Tree For now, most commercial breadfruit groves are still setting root, leaving the growing to the same type of people who once introduced it to the region — the plant fanatics.
    — Ashley Miznazi, Miami Herald, 24 July 2026
  • Reforming Social Security by cutting benefits for rich people and raising them for poor people would make the most financial sense and return the program to its roots.
    — Marc Novicoff, The Atlantic, 24 July 2026
Definition of root
Noun
  • One image of her right knee showed flecks of blue plastic that prosecutors said came from an inflatable pool Burke used to collect blood while dismembering her body.
    — Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 21 July 2026
  • Someone unfamiliar with salt bread might even suspect a major baking error, seeing a questionably smooth croissant that entirely missed the lamination process, adorned with only a few flecks of salt acting as its saving grace.
    — Candy Hom, AJC.com, 19 July 2026
Definition of fleck
Noun
  • Symptoms of this condition include delirium, seizures, an abnormal heart rhythm, hyperthermia, coma and death.
    — Andrew Yockey, The Conversation, 24 July 2026
  • Researchers found that black coffee (or coffee with very little added) was associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular disease, stroke and certain irregular heart rhythms, and Type 2 diabetes.
    — Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 24 July 2026
Definition of heart
Noun
  • What does that do for you, to play somebody who feels a little bit closer to you?
    — David Canfield, HollywoodReporter, 19 July 2026
  • Pour the soy sauce mixture into the pan and stir well to combine, scraping up any brown bits.
    — Erin Merhar, Southern Living, 19 July 2026
Definition of bit
Noun
  • The core interest aside from this being the final of a six-week long competition that only happens every four years is the country of Messi’s birth taking on the country that raised him.
    — James Horncastle, New York Times, 19 July 2026
  • Since the brain needs to drop its core temperature by roughly a degree to descend into deep sleep, a bedroom temperature of around 65-67 degrees Fahrenheit will help.
    — Gavin Escott, USA Today, 18 July 2026
Definition of core
Noun
  • For instance, the small particles in the smoke can inflame the lungs, trigger coughing and worsen existing health conditions.
    — Jen Reeder, Forbes.com, 23 July 2026
  • Each millimeter-sized TRISO particle consists of a High-Assay Low-Enriched Uranium (HALEU) core surrounded by three specialized layers that serve distinct physical functions.
    — Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 23 July 2026
Definition of particle
Noun
  • Planters is among several widely available brands that sell sunflower kernels at major grocery stores.
    — Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 16 July 2026
  • The patch fixes security vulnerabilities in Win32K, NTFS, Remote Desktop, Hyper-V, Secure Boot, Print Spooler, Media Foundation, the Windows installer, and the Windows kernel itself, among others.
    — Jon Martindale, PC Magazine, 15 July 2026
Definition of kernel

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nubbin
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Cite this Entry

“Nubbin.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nubbin. Accessed 26 Jul. 2026.

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