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
1
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of splinter
Elizabeth Fogarty, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 Oct. 2025
The revelation felt like a splinter that lodged itself in Kai’s heart.
—Johnny Dodd, PEOPLE, 11 Oct. 2025
Matt Brown, Chicago Tribune, 10 Jan. 2026
Most of the old cartels have splintered.
—Mary Beth Sheridan, CNN Money, 9 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for splinter
Noun
After cutting and trimming any splinters, place the stakes behind the trellis.
—Elizabeth Fogarty, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 Oct. 2025
The revelation felt like a splinter that lodged itself in Kai’s heart.
—Johnny Dodd, PEOPLE, 11 Oct. 2025
Verb
Democrats splinter between more liberal and stricter attitudes toward newcomers to the United States.
—Matt Brown, Chicago Tribune, 10 Jan. 2026
Most of the old cartels have splintered.
—Mary Beth Sheridan, CNN Money, 9 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for splinter
Recent Examples of Synonyms for splinter
Noun
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Its bright ombré glaze, which is chip and stain resistant, adds a pop of color to any area.—
Isabel Garcia,
PEOPLE,
10 Jan. 2026
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Ole Miss chips away Canes defense again bends but doesn’t break.—
Jordan McPherson,
Miami Herald,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
There’s one more tip that will make slicing soft cheese simple.—
Sophia Beams,
Better Homes & Gardens,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Grate it for a slaw, or add it thinly sliced to salads for a refreshing crunch.—
Dr. Steven Gundry,
CNBC,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Their relationship hasn't been without bumps — the pair briefly split in 2015 — but the couple has managed to weather the ups and downs.—
Stephanie Sengwe,
PEOPLE,
13 Jan. 2026
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For a splurge, split a stateroom in The Haven by Norwegian, a ship-within-a-ship concept offering luxury accommodations and 24-hour butler service.—
Lauren Dana Ellman,
Travel + Leisure,
13 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Here, a sliver of orangey-red pops against a cool-toned ruby hue.—
Ariel Wodarcyk,
InStyle,
9 Jan. 2026
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Like these forerunners, the pleasures of Knight’s A Thousand Blows, which premiered all six episodes of its second season on Hulu Friday, lies in looking back on that thin sliver of time, about 15 years ago, when anachronistic old-timey crime was in vogue.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Zoë Kravitz, Kristen Stewart, Lily Allen, and Quinta Brunson have all had their bangs chopped above mid-forehead.—
Loren Savini,
Allure,
10 Jan. 2026
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After rocking a bob back at the Met Gala, Anderson chopped her chin-length strands even shorter just in time for Paris Fashion Week.—
Hannah Malach,
InStyle,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Footage of the shooting has divided viewers, with finger-pointing over who was the aggressor and who was the victim.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
9 Jan. 2026
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From then until now, the image of a plate divided into sections has more clearly depicted what serving sizes should look like in an actual meal.—
Kristen Rogers,
CNN Money,
8 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Richard proclaims he and Lexy's innocence, but the discovery of the murder weapon (and Rachel's nail fragments) in their house is evidence enough that Lexy and Richard are behind the murders.—
Randall Colburn,
Entertainment Weekly,
12 Jan. 2026
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Moreover, its warhead can split into fragments during the final moments of the strike, ensuring more extensive damage in a wider area.—
Abhishek Bhardwaj,
Interesting Engineering,
12 Jan. 2026
Noun
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The windshield and windows of the truck appeared to be shattered, and shards of glass were seen on the street below the vehicle.—
Laurie Perez,
CBS News,
12 Jan. 2026
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Police recovered a weapon from the scene, which was later determined to be a shard of a broken toilet seat, sources said.—
Kerry Burke,
New York Daily News,
9 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Splinter.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/splinter. Accessed 14 Jan. 2026.
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