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
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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
Being a bit of a handy man in a fight himself, Father Ryan taught Frankie how to roll with a punch, how to upset a right swing with a left stab to his shoulder, and how to swing in with a right cross to the nubbin of the chin while his man was off keel.
—Westbrook Pegler, New York Daily News, 18 Jan. 2024
That changed at 1:03 a.m. on Dec. 5 when 192 giant lasers at the laboratory’s National Ignition Facility blasted a small cylinder about the size of a pencil eraser that contained a frozen nubbin of hydrogen encased in diamond.
—Kenneth Chang, BostonGlobe.com, 13 Dec. 2022
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
Being a bit of a handy man in a fight himself, Father Ryan taught Frankie how to roll with a punch, how to upset a right swing with a left stab to his shoulder, and how to swing in with a right cross to the nubbin of the chin while his man was off keel.
—Westbrook Pegler, New York Daily News, 18 Jan. 2024
That changed at 1:03 a.m. on Dec. 5 when 192 giant lasers at the laboratory’s National Ignition Facility blasted a small cylinder about the size of a pencil eraser that contained a frozen nubbin of hydrogen encased in diamond.
—Kenneth Chang, BostonGlobe.com, 13 Dec. 2022
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nubbin
Noun
-
As for the killings of his wife and in-laws, Zeigler’s lawyers contend the real killer would have blood spatter on their clothes, which Zeigler did not save for two specks of Perry Edwards’ blood on his shoes.—
Cristóbal Reyes,
The Orlando Sentinel,
9 Mar. 2026
-
The specks of warmth salvaged from the inside of the patrol car, which had clung to his skin under his gray sweatpants and hooded striped sweatshirt, soon fell away.—
USA Today,
USA Today,
8 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Culver's root produces a nonstop display of white, candelabra-like flower heads throughout the summer.—
Lynn McAlpine,
Better Homes & Gardens,
5 Mar. 2026
-
Curcumin Curcumin is a natural compound found in the root of the turmeric plant that gives turmeric its yellow color and has beneficial properties.—
Jessica Swirble,
Verywell Health,
5 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Jade feels calming yet luxurious, especially when paired with flecks of gold leaf.—
Ariel Wodarcyk,
InStyle,
5 Mar. 2026
-
Although other pests cause similar damage, thrips damage is often associate with numerous small flecks of dark green to black fecal matter.—
Arricca Elin SanSone,
Southern Living,
3 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Her great, big burlesque performance is a striptease that, layer by layer, reveals her narcissism, her naïveté and her broken heart.—
Amy Nicholson,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Mar. 2026
-
Degarmo says the pig has been feeling depressed since she’s been without his family for many months, noting that pigs could die of a broken heart.—
Julianna Lozada,
Daily News,
9 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
This is a fun bit of weirdness from Martin Herlihy.—
Andy Hoglund,
Entertainment Weekly,
8 Mar. 2026
-
And Cronin’s bait-and-switch bit?—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The project recently received air turbine units, generators, electric motors, molten salt storage tanks, and other core equipment from Shanghai Electric.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
6 Mar. 2026
-
Some of the administrators may focus on administering the obesity benefits to employees, dealing with core functions such as enrollment, eligibility, claims and more.—
Annika Kim Constantino,
CNBC,
5 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The perhaps ironic primary cause is regulations on international shipping reducing pollutant particles, which reflected sunlight into space.—
Tom Chivers,
semafor.com,
12 Mar. 2026
-
These particles move through a continuous space-time and interact via forces.—
Quanta Magazine,
Quanta Magazine,
11 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
In addition to the bacon and sausage, this queso is packed with filling black beans, corn kernels, scallions, cheese, jalapeños, and our favorite, Rotel tomatoes.—
Josh Miller,
Southern Living,
8 Mar. 2026
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Additionally, pollination may occur during extreme summer heat, reducing kernels on your cobs.—
Michelle Mastro,
Martha Stewart,
5 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Nubbin.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nubbin. Accessed 12 Mar. 2026.
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