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.

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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 But globs of liquid mercury worked just fine to show the melting shards coming together, even though its toxicity meant the special effects crew had to wear protective gear over the two-day shoot. — ArsTechnica, 28 Aug. 2026 Initial investigations began in 2014, when archaeologists at the University of South Carolina (USC) collaborated with the Muscogee Nation to collect 31 pottery shards from the Etowah mounds. — Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 26 Aug. 2026 Many of these cometary shards are no larger than a single grain of sand. — Anthony Wood, Space.com, 24 Aug. 2026 Crisp shards of coconut rice come together with cilantro, scallions and peanuts in a light, sweet fish sauce dressing. — Warren Rojas, Washington Post, 19 Aug. 2026 The man, armed with a large cooking knife and shards of glass, appeared injured, Sylvia said, but continued to hold off officers from the rooftop while firefighters worked. — Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 11 Aug. 2026 When the smoke cleared on October 4, 2024, Beloozerov’s body lay splayed out on the pavement amid shards of glass from his car window. — Isabelle Chapman, CNN Money, 10 Aug. 2026 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 Fragrant curls of smoke rise through shards of sunlight as Father Mesrop performs the liturgy in his rich baritone, joined by eleven worshippers—eight adults and three tiny children. — Literary Hub, 30 July 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for shards

Noun

Although the wealthy Gulf oil states and small slivers of Arab elites flourished within this system, for most people the American order meant only violence, hopelessness, and deprivation.

— MARC LYNCH, Foreign Affairs, 18 Aug. 2026
Combining the compelling crunch and taste of a macaroon cookie with slivers of chocolate in a dreamy churn, Toasted Coconut Chip won Flavor of the Year in 2026.

— Nancy Vienneau, Southern Living, 15 Aug. 2026

Definition of slivers

Noun

Ancient dirty dishes University of South Carolina archaeologist Adam King and his colleagues found fragments of ancient DNA from Theobroma cacao in the inner surfaces of potsherds from long-ago feasts at Etowah.

— ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 27 Aug. 2026
The study combined technological, petrographic, and geochemical analyses of pottery fragments recovered from a kiln at Qurayyah.

— Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of fragments

Noun

The investigation report also said the fire resulted from hot metal particles falling onto vegetation below the tower, which had not been cleared in years.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 28 Aug. 2026
These trails form when aircraft engine emissions encounter extremely cold air found at high altitudes, causing tiny ice particles to develop.

— Chas Newkey-Burden, TheWeek, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of particles

Noun

The soup itself has an almost lemon curd-like acidity and sweetness, and it’s laced with flecks of fresh corn and tiny diced pieces of zucchini.

— Anne Ewbank, Sacbee.com, 19 Aug. 2026
Amid his vast responsibilities running all the departments in the Giants’ front office, Zaidi still found the time to pore over MLB Draft League statistics and look for flecks of gold.

— Andrew Baggarly, New York Times, 16 Aug. 2026

Definition of flecks

Noun

There are glimmers of success in almost every advanced country, including the United States, at agencies such as the Internal Revenue Service, which has finally begun to modernize its woefully out-of-date technology.

— Jennifer Pahlka, Foreign Affairs, 18 Aug. 2026
But take a closer look and the report actually provides glimmers of hope.

— TerDawn DeBoe, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026

Definition of glimmers

Noun

The company has built a reputation in the investment world for backing companies that have made big splashes, including Uber, Waymo and Discord.

— Jon Krawczynski, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2026
As a result, the phone is only IP55 rated—safe from splashes but not full submersion.

— Ryan Whitwam, ArsTechnica, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of splashes

Noun

The track, which blends smooth R&B vocals with contemporary pop production, came almost a decade after bits of the song first leaked on social media.

— Caché McClay, USA Today, 26 Aug. 2026
Lechter selected the best bits and organized them into six lessons spread over 10 chapters.

— Christopher Cox, Vanity Fair, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of bits

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“Shards.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shards. Accessed 31 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of shards

noun

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