splinter 1 of 2

noun

ˈsplin-tər How to pronounce splinter (audio)
Definition of splinternext
as in chip
a small flat piece separated from a whole she got a splinter from the unfinished wall

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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
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.

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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 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 See All Example Sentences for splinter
Recent Examples of Synonyms for splinter
  1. chip
  2. slice
  3. split
  4. sliver
  5. chop
  6. divide
  7. fragment
  8. shard
Noun
  • Employment in the state’s chip industry is now at a 30-year low.
    — Bryan Mena, CNN Money, 8 Aug. 2026
  • This drink is delicious served alongside Classic Salsa or Guacamole and chips.
    — Elizabeth Nelson, Southern Living, 8 Aug. 2026
Definition of chip
Verb
  • That line slices the plane into two halves, one of which will contain two corners of the outer triangle (the bottom half in the figure below).
    — Jack Murtagh, Scientific American, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes, then thinly slice it crosswise.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of slice
Verb
  • While Sebastiaan Bornauw was staying wide on the right of the back three, Trafford came out to split Tarik Muharemovic and Jaka Bijol, offering them a passing option.
    — Beren Cross, New York Times, 13 Aug. 2026
  • The admission, an aside in a wide-ranging interview, raised eyebrows in the recovery community given the star’s very public embrace of sobriety after joining a 12-step program following his 2016 split from wife Angelina Jolie.
    — Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of split
Noun
  • While a thin sliver will remain illuminated by direct sunlight, most of the lunar surface will appear dramatically darkened with a subtle reddish-orange glow — reminiscent of a total lunar eclipse seen across North America on March 3.
    — Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Eclipse glasses sold fast Special eclipse glasses are essential for safe viewing, even if only a sliver of the sun remains visible.
    — Suman Naishadham, Chicago Tribune, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of sliver
Verb
  • Meals are punctuated by the heavy thwack of Soto’s butcher knife chopping the meats against a large block of Sinaloan alamo wood, while music and TVs complete the din.
    — Stephanie Breijo, Los Angeles Times, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Head was out in Hasan's next over, chopping on a delivery that was bowled from around the wicket as Australia slipped to 52-2.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of chop
Verb
  • Taking a break from slinging hamburgers during the weekend lunch rush, Darlene Dumond acknowledged that Allagash remains divided on Jackson.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 8 Aug. 2026
  • No distributions were ever made by the Children's Trust to any of its beneficiaries, and the beneficial shares of that trust were not divided into separate shares for each of the beneficiaries as was also required by the 2020 amendment.
    — Jay Adkisson, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of divide
Noun
  • The meteors are tiny fragments shed by Comet 109P/Swift-Tuttle that burn up in Earth’s atmosphere at about 37 miles (59 kilometers) per second.
    — Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 11 Aug. 2026
  • Standouts include fragments of original mosaics, old blueprints, and digital reconstructions to show how the building has changed over the centuries.
    — CNT Editors, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 Aug. 2026
Definition of fragment
Noun
  • To keep her shards together, Lyman had imposed a new organizing principle on her life.
    — Ariane Lange, Sacbee.com, 6 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
Definition of shard

Browse Nearby Words

splint
splinter
splintered
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Cite this Entry

“Splinter.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/splinter. Accessed 14 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of splinter for Spanish Speakers

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