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
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
Noun
-
In July 2023, firefighters battled a blaze on the property for four days after a conveyor belt fire spread to bark chip piles and structures, according to local fire and rescue officials.—
Jeanine Santucci,
USA Today,
29 May 2026
-
Asian chip stocks have soared in recent months amid a global shortage for the technology that underpins the AI boom.—
semafor.com,
semafor.com,
29 May 2026
Noun
-
An easy 10-minute swim will have you on the fringing reef, with slivers of multi-coloured fish, gliding turtles and epic coral formations.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
-
With Garrett’s contract adjusted, the Rams saw a sliver of possibility.—
Jourdan Rodrigue,
New York Times,
2 June 2026
Noun
-
Poland, Croatia, Romania and non-NATO member Moldova all have reported airspace violations and found drone fragments on their territory since the war began.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
30 May 2026
-
That impact was visible throughout the beach Thursday as students sifted through sand searching for cigarette butts, plastic fragments, bottle caps, and other debris often overlooked by beachgoers.—
Daily News,
Daily News,
29 May 2026
Noun
-
But as the season neared the winter transfer window, the expectation was for Mainoo to leave on loan rather than continue to pick up splinters on the bench.—
Carl Anka,
New York Times,
26 May 2026
-
Militant groups operating in northern Nigeria include Boko Haram and a splinter organization that broke away to affiliate with the Islamic State group.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
24 May 2026
Noun
-
Chile flakes add a pleasant kick.—
Deputy Food Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
31 May 2026
-
Her menu will include breakfasts featuring toast on Stand’s homemade milk bread as well as a bacon-egg-cheese sandwich with a jammy egg, cheesy miso caramel and nori flakes.—
Connie Ogle
May 30,
Miami Herald,
30 May 2026
Noun
-
Thursday night’s detonation of Blue Origin’s New Glenn rocket during a static-fire test produced a spectacular fireball over Florida, sending shards of the rocket flying far and wide, into the sea and across the coastal scrubland nearby.—
Eric Berger,
ArsTechnica,
29 May 2026
-
Up close, the design featured far more detail, boasting peek-a-boo lace cups and hundreds of shards of stone and crystals.—
Chanel Vargas,
InStyle,
23 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Spall.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spall. Accessed 5 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
