Synonyms of splinter

splinter 1 of 2

noun

ˈsplin-tər 

as in chip

a small flat piece separated from a whole

she got a splinter from the unfinished wall

Synonyms & Similar Words

• chip
• sliver
• fragment
• shard
• flake
• splint
• spall
• shred
• sheet
• scrap
• bit
• disk
• part
• particle
• section
• leaf
• portion
• slice
• shiver
• clipping
• shave
• shaving
• smithereens
• paring
• tatter
• flinders
• snippet

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• slab
• lump
• chunk
• hunk

splinter

2 of 2

verb

1

as in to slice

to cut into long slender pieces

He splintered the carrots into little sticks.

Synonyms & Similar Words

• slice
• chop
• split
• sliver
• chip
• dice
• cleave
• scissor
• hash
• mince
• rip
• slit
• slash
• gash
• rive
• julienne
• incise
• saw

2

as in to split

to cause (people) to break up into opposing groups

The board splintered as soon as the most contentious issues came up for discussion.

Synonyms & Similar Words

• split
• divide
• polarize
• separate
• fragment
• fracture
• alienate
• estrange
• antagonize
• disaffect
• embitter
• disgruntle

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• unite
• unify
• reconcile
• coalesce
• harmonize
• consolidate
• concentrate
• conciliate

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of splinter

Noun

Then, in the second movement, what begins as a pastoral escape splinters into fits and starts before regrouping and pressing ahead with swirling electricity and just the right amount of cacophony. — Sheila Regan, Twin Cities, 4 June 2026

Safeguards the wood against UV radiation so that the deck doesn't fade, split, splinter, peel, or dry out as quickly as an unprotected deck. — Timothy Dale, The Spruce, 29 May 2026

Verb

Israel has become a splintering issue in the Democratic Party, particularly on the left flank, leading up to this week’s vote, as support among Democrats for Israel has deteriorated rapidly in recent years. — Lauren Green, The Washington Examiner, 17 July 2026

Whole trees, the size of a man’s leg, had been bent and splintered to the ground. — Frank C. Hibben, Outdoor Life, 15 July 2026