SHARDS Synonyms: 96 Similar and Opposite Words

shards

noun

plural of shard

as in slivers

a small sharp piece of something (such as glass or pottery) Watch out for the shards of glass on the floor.

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar 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 shards As he was pulled back up, shop owner and witness Anna Medina said, his right leg was cut by the shards of glass. — Eric Adler, Kansas City Star, 30 July 2026 Others insist on seeds — poppy, sesame — or shards of onion or salt. — ABC News, 21 July 2026 Over the years, mounds, pottery shards and other relics of Native American settlements that once dotted the swamp have been discovered. — Drew Kann, AJC.com, 20 July 2026 The reflections from millions of debris shards would collectively increase light pollution worldwide, making astronomical observations more challenging even in the most remote locations on the planet. — David M. Klein, Washington Post, 16 July 2026 On a recent Thursday morning, Richetts’ artworks, the colorful shards of smooth shiny glass, were indeed speaking the language of healing — and spreading the gospel Richetts has been preaching for decades. — Michael James Rocha, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 July 2026 The laminate reinforces the glass to create a shatter-resistant barrier, preventing shards of glass from flying out during extreme weather. — Michelle Mullins, Chicago Tribune, 5 July 2026 With grit and one-liners, this American hero navigates air vents and glass shards to save the day. — Brian Truitt, USA Today, 1 July 2026 The genetic blood disease can feel like shards of glass racing through veins, attacking every organ, Ogunsile said. — Larry Seward, CBS News, 29 June 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for shards

Noun

This flaky white fish looks like a gourmet dish when served over a bed of couscous and dressed with mixed greens and colorful radish slivers.

— Jasmine Thompson, Midwest Living, 25 July 2026
This white and pink ombré set is elevated with gold slivers to outline each nail.

— Daisy Maldonado, InStyle, 15 June 2026

Definition of slivers

Noun

Bortigali, the town where the archaeological site is located, is about 40 miles north and inland of Mont’e Prama, where ancient sculptural fragments and a monumental necropolis were first discovered in the 1970s.

— Leigh Anne Miller, ARTnews.com, 6 Aug. 2026
The larger openings in the mesh can physically capture bigger plastic fragments.

— Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 5 Aug. 2026

Definition of fragments

Noun

Pay close attention to where leaves meet the stem, the underside of leaves, and within the petals for any movement or tiny specks.

— Jamie Cuccinelli, Martha Stewart, 4 Aug. 2026
The specks of dirt on the screen, that’s a byproduct of the process that Imax projectors use to advance the frames.

— Chris Stanton, Vulture, 3 Aug. 2026

Definition of specks

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 flecks

Noun

But take a closer look and the report actually provides glimmers of hope.

— TerDawn DeBoe, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026
There were glimmers of form from Yoane Wissa (DR Congo) and Anthony Elanga (Sweden), both of whom need to hit the ground running in the coming season.

— Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 24 July 2026

Definition of glimmers

Noun

Designed to feel more like island residential living, all accommodations include a kitchen, in-unit washer and dryer, and private outdoor space set against a palette of deep earth tones and splashes of aqua blue.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Aug. 2026
From Ancient Greek Sandals to Christopher Esber, these foam footbeds and jelly straps can handle sandy shores and poolside splashes, while being some of the easiest shoes to pack up.

— Rosie Jarman, Vogue, 3 Aug. 2026

Definition of splashes

Noun

This flavorful mix of fruit bits makes a refreshing snack or a healthy treat for lunch boxes.

— Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 5 Aug. 2026
Even the visuals, which evoke an old-fashioned style as possible — despite some jarring bits of CG imagery — use the same language Lucasfilm veterans like Doug Chiang have developed over the decades.

— Fran Ruiz, Space.com, 5 Aug. 2026

Definition of bits

Browse Nearby Words

shard

shards

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Shards.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shards. Accessed 7 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of shards

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on shards

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

invidious

Popular in Grammar & Usage

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

'Sneaked' or 'Snuck': Which is correct?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Aug. 7

How long is a jiffy?

Popular

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

Games & Quizzes