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
Congress can swing the axe but taxpayers pick up the splinters. — Andrew Leahey, Forbes.com, 29 June 2026 On director Rupert Wyatt’s Desert Warrior (2025), Mettler was the lead film editor, splinter unit director and associate producer. — Greg Evans, Deadline, 8 June 2026
Verb
Pressure washers can splinter wood and strip paint if the pressure is too strong. — Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 18 July 2026 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 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
  • Following the successful first model, this iteration will feature binned A19 Pro chips, repurposed from iPhone 17 Pro production, which dictates its release timeline as chip stock accumulates.
    — Ewan Spence, Forbes.com, 16 Aug. 2026
  • Nvidia would supply computing hardware through the chip arrangement instead of directly funding construction.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of chip
Verb
  • After cooling off from the smokehouse, hams are ready to slice.
    — Anna Dilger, The Conversation, 17 Aug. 2026
  • The bridge of Islam Makhachev's nose, right cheek and forehead were scraped or sliced open and his left cheek sported a baseball-sized bruise after taking a few too many brutal blows to the face.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 16 Aug. 2026
Definition of slice
Verb
  • The remaining counts were split between supporting the lifting of the ban and undecided.
    — Brittney Ermon, CBS News, 20 Aug. 2026
  • After a few more years of touring, though, the band split primarily so Howard could pursue her solo work.
    — Mikael Wood, Los Angeles Times, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of split
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
  • But at least there is a tiny sliver of hope in the very last scene, which features Jones’ real father in a silent but moving cameo role.
    — Leslie Felperin, HollywoodReporter, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of sliver
Verb
  • The tacos consist of a fresh burger patty that is seared, chopped and combined with sautéed onions and jalapeños.
    — Briauna Brown, CBS News, 19 Aug. 2026
  • For each batch, add 3 tablespoons coarsely chopped, peeled fresh turmeric (or scant 1 tablespoon ground turmeric) when processing the paste.
    — Kate Bradshaw, Mercury News, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of chop
Verb
  • More than ever, colleges and universities are divided over how to respond in what are likely to be no-win contests.
    — David Wippman, Washington Post, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Union households support the measure, while non-union families are evenly divided about it.
    — Seema Mehta, Los Angeles Times, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of divide
Noun
  • She was rushed to the hospital and was last listed in stable condition after undergoing surgery to remove the bullet fragments.
    — Ryan Hughes, CBS News, 19 Aug. 2026
  • And because intelligence exists in isolated fragments across different systems, companies end up deploying armies of employees whose primary, manual job is just interpretation.
    — Filip Popovic, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of fragment
Noun
  • These kinds of seemingly effortless lines, lines that take a small shard of experience and hold it up to the light, offer some clues as to how the thirty-one-year-old Bridgers earned her reputation as one of her generation’s standout songwriters.
    — Mitch Therieau, New Yorker, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Each year, countless shards of this ancient comet collide with our wandering planet.
    — Anthony Wood, Space.com, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of shard

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Cite this Entry

“Splinter.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/splinter. Accessed 21 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of splinter for Spanish Speakers

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