particle

noun

ˈpär-ti-kəl How to pronounce particle (audio)
Definition of particlenext
1
as in speck
a very small amount there was not a particle of truth in what she said

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in bit
a very small piece a particle of cookie fell on the carpet

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 particle The growing field of research aimed at the particle took a hit earlier this year when top-line results showed an experimental drug reduced Lp(a) but failed to lower serious outcomes. — Matthew Herper, STAT, 7 Nov. 2026 This combination is designed to help the robot collect larger debris while also filtering smaller particles that can affect pool cleanliness. — New Atlas, 6 Nov. 2026 An emerging field, quantum technology operates at the subatomic level, building devices that detect, harness and leverage the tiniest particles to make potentially enormous advances in a wide range of applications. — Robert Channick, Chicago Tribune, 6 Nov. 2026 The microbiologist earned her doctorate at Emory in 2013 studying retroviral particles with live-cell imaging. — Angela Haupt, Time, 4 Nov. 2026 See All Example Sentences for particle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for particle
  1. speck
  2. bit
  3. sprinkling
  4. fleck
  5. hint
  6. molecule
  7. glimmer
  8. atom
Noun
  • The finding fits theories that planets and other bodies in the solar system were built in waves as a mixture of fine dust, ice, organic matter and specks of stardust circling the newborn sun clumped together into ever larger objects.
    — Jacek Krywko, Scientific American, 12 Nov. 2026
  • The pair are flip sides of the same coin; Kinney a speck of blue running in a red state, and Austin a Republican running in the Democratic stronghold of Connecticut.
    — Barbara Sprunt, NPR, 1 Nov. 2026
Definition of speck
Noun
  • Jama took to social media to share a goodbye message with some of her best bits from the ITV reality series.
    — Armando Tinoco, Deadline, 8 Nov. 2026
  • But, unfortunately, got a little bit tangled up and fell awkward.
    — Adam Lichtenstein, Sun Sentinel, 8 Nov. 2026
Definition of bit
Noun
  • Special teams had had a sprinkling of errors — like the game-opening 81-yard kickoff return Miami allowed — hindered that unit’s performance each week.
    — Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 12 Oct. 2026
  • As ever, the lineup is a mix of new features from Asia’s best auteurs, a sprinkling of Hollywood movies and projects from up-and-coming filmmakers.
    — Abid Rahman, HollywoodReporter, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of sprinkling
Noun
  • In addition, since all this debris is moving at orbital velocity, a fleck of paint traveling in the opposite direction to an operational satellite can hit it at a speed in excess of Mach 47.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 22 Oct. 2026
  • 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
Definition of fleck
Noun
  • Not long ago, broadcasters avoided even a hint of gambling conversation.
    — New Yorker, New Yorker, 8 Nov. 2026
  • Dylan Carden, an equity analyst for William Blair, wrote in a note published Friday that Under Armour’s results give few hints as to when a recovery could be expected for the company.
    — Sara Germano, Sportico.com, 6 Nov. 2026
Definition of hint
Noun
  • Both amyloid beta and tau are normally present in healthy brains; the plaques and tangles are abnormal aggregations of these molecules.
    — Manvir Singh, New Yorker, 2 Nov. 2026
  • Chelation therapy involves the administration of administering specialized chemical agents that attach to the lead molecules in the bird’s blood and form a compound that is expelled, mostly via urine.
    — Margherita Bassi, Popular Science, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of molecule
Noun
  • After two years in power-play purgatory under assistant coach Newell Brown, during which the Kings placed 29th cumulatively, there’s finally a glimmer of hope for the power play with first-time NHL assistant Ray Whitney.
    — Andrew Knoll, Daily News, 6 Nov. 2026
  • Wednesday’s loss didn’t have a glimmer of a comeback, resulting in an exhausting slog toward the final margin.
    — Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 5 Nov. 2026
Definition of glimmer
Noun
  • The main difference in these exotic atoms is that the electron substitutes are much heavier.
    — George Musser, Quanta Magazine, 2 Nov. 2026
  • There are various families of bodies in the outer solar system, and 3I/ATLAS’ spectrum bears a resemblance to the spectrum of some medium-sized TNOs that are rich in carbon-dioxide ice and organic compounds (organic meaning containing carbon atoms).
    — Keith Cooper, Space.com, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of atom

Browse Nearby Words

participators
particle
particles
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Cite this Entry

“Particle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/particle. Accessed 15 Nov. 2026.

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