spall

noun

ˈspȯl How to pronounce spall (audio)
Definition of spallnext
as in chip
a small flat piece separated from a whole found a variety of uses for the spalls left over from their stonecutting operations

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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 spall The curtains are made up of overlapping, three-quarter inch plates of AR500 steel encased in a layer of ballistic nylon that captures spall, the shards of metal that break off from a colliding bullet. — Dan Robitzski, Popular Mechanics, 8 Mar. 2018 The reports noted that numerous repairs had been made to cracks and spalls in the spillway. — Bettina Boxall, latimes.com, 24 Apr. 2017
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spall
  1. chip
  2. sliver
  3. fragment
  4. splinter
  5. flake
  6. shard
Noun
  • In stock markets abroad, the swings were even wilder for chip stocks.
    — Stan Choe, Fortune, 1 Aug. 2026
  • If successful, the design could enable far more compact chips that carry more information in the same space while maintaining the robustness that makes topological photonics so attractive.
    — Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of chip
Noun
  • That’s because even if the tiniest sliver of the sun remains visible, the landscape stays surprisingly bright, the sky never falls into twilight, and the sun’s spectacular corona remains hidden.
    — Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 5 Aug. 2026
  • Friends of Big Bear Valley launched it in February to stop the Moon Camp development on what conservationists call the last undeveloped sliver of Big Bear Lake’s shoreline.
    — Sydney Lake, Fortune, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of sliver
Noun
  • Original architectural elements, including a small fragment of a fresco, the aforementioned mask fountain, and a Carrara marble staircase connecting the five floors, were restored.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Aug. 2026
  • Discovered in two large parts, the sculpture is missing its feet and some other fragments.
    — Brian Boucher, ARTnews.com, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of fragment
Noun
  • Designed for patios, balconies, porches, pool decks, and walkways that could use a little TLC, the 12-inch tiles are waterproof, splinter-free, and bring the warmth of real wood to an outdoor space on a budget.
    — Better Homes & Gardens, Better Homes & Gardens, 31 July 2026
  • Legend has it this imperative caused the park’s architect, William Russell Everitt, to smash the original model to splinters with a baseball bat.
    — John Metcalfe, Mercury News, 13 July 2026
Definition of splinter
Noun
  • Keep an eye out for the all-new Fall Cinnamon Cookie Dough, which features a rich cinnamon cookie dough, thick flakes of cinnamon, and fall sprinkles.
    — Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 Aug. 2026
  • During an early-morning visit on July 22, inspectors documented that all residents were served corn flakes with milk, toast, and café con leche for breakfast, regardless of their dietary needs.
    — Carol Marbin Miller, Miami Herald, 31 July 2026
Definition of flake
Noun
  • 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
  • Just a little shard of eternity that had both of them in it, on the dance floor.
    — Sheila Heti, New Yorker, 26 July 2026
Definition of shard

Browse Nearby Words

spading
spall
spalls
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Spall.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spall. Accessed 8 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of nurture

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

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?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

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?
See More

Popular

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
fridge-magnet-letters
Drop a Letter Quiz August 2026 Drop a letter from a word to make a totally diffe...
See All