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scintilla

noun

sin-ˈti-lə How to pronounce scintilla (audio)
Definition of scintillanext
as in glimmer
a very small amount there is not a scintilla of evidence for your outrageous claims

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 scintilla One scintilla of fentanyl coming across any border is unacceptable on any level. — NBC News, 9 Mar. 2025 There is a scintilla of potential intrigue in this revelation, and there’s a version of this narrative that sets him up as a politically interesting threat to Isla & Co. — Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 27 Feb. 2025 Where that film salvaged a scintilla of monochrome romance from the dreariness of the gig economy, this one is every bit as determined to sap the joy out of making good money at someone else’s expense. — David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 19 Feb. 2025 Just a scintilla of resignation that no-Butler makes a Celtics series look grim. — Greg Cote, Miami Herald, 20 Apr. 2024 See All Example Sentences for scintilla
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scintilla
  1. glimmer
  2. shred
  3. hint
  4. speck
  5. sprinkling
  6. splash
  7. bit
  8. little
Noun
  • These are the glimmers of something in the fringes that keep The Cherry Orchard, even in our age of jonesing to burn it all down, so miraculously delicate and devastating.
    — Sara Holdren, Vulture, 18 Sep. 2026
  • The summer departure of Pep Guardiola after a decade in charge of Manchester City offered rivals Manchester United a glimmer of hope that a shift in power could be around the corner.
    — Cerys Jones, New York Times, 13 Sep. 2026
Definition of glimmer
Noun
  • Sometimes it is mired in self-delusion, like Toni’s obsession with his Neapolitan origins, perhaps the single shred of glamor in his otherwise unenviable family background.
    — Jessica Kiang, Variety, 14 Sep. 2026
  • Some of these cabinet members have even maintained, without a shred of evidence, that Syria’s president, the former jihadist Ahmed al-Shara, is preparing to attack Israel.
    — Amos Harel, Foreign Affairs, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of shred
Noun
  • But the Italianate fountains at the entrance is your first hint that a resort wonderland awaits.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 Sep. 2026
  • While there is no water vapor, JWST has picked up hints of solid particles of crystalline water-ice.
    — Keith Cooper, Space.com, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of hint
Noun
  • To make matters worse, the Houthis have captured new terrain in Yemen and acquired Perim Island, a speck of land inside the Bab el-Mandeb chokepoint that better positions the Yemeni militia to intercept oil tankers.
    — Daniel DePetris, Chicago Tribune, 15 Sep. 2026
  • Calcium shows up as bright white specks on the coronary artery images.
    — Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of speck
Noun
  • Danny Boyle adopts a similar strategy with this snazzy screen adaptation, shot through with kinetic energy, convulsive editing and a liberal sprinkling of post-punk, electro-pop and indie rock that thumbs its nose at period accuracy.
    — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Her clothes are simple but bright, with sometimes a bit of shiny thread or a sprinkling of sequins; décolletage is a thing of the future.
    — Robert Lloyd, Los Angeles Times, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of sprinkling
Noun
  • Virginia supplied a cold splash of reality, holding Bailey to a career-low 84 yards in a 34-8 rout in Week 0.
    — The Athletic College Football Staff, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026
  • The attraction first opened in 1994 and became known for its steep drop and massive splash.
    — Angelique Brenes, PEOPLE, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of splash
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
  • Your daring teen will love the waterslides and surf simulator, and your littles will enjoy the splash pads.
    — Alesa Andrew, Parents, 10 Sep. 2026
  • Miami is about a two-hour drive from Jupiter, where Haydon has four littles to keep her company — Donald III, 17; Tristan, 14; Spencer, 13; and Chloe, 12.
    — Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of little

Browse Nearby Words

scimitars
scintilla
scintillant
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Cite this Entry

“Scintilla.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scintilla. Accessed 20 Sep. 2026.

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