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
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Recent Examples of splinter
Brian Steinberg, Variety, 20 May 2026
While the group claims it was formed by splinter factions of the Pakistani Taliban, known as Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan, authorities have accused it of being a front for the TTP.
—Riaz Khan, Los Angeles Times, 10 May 2026
Scott Spires Britannica Editors June 3, Encyclopedia Britannica, 3 June 2026
And the front office has had its faith rewarded for choosing to preserve that group, rather than splinter it for cheaper options.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 1 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for splinter
Noun
While Johnny Carson was a monolith, shaped by a dominant TV media structure to be all things to all people, the current crop of late-night hosts are merely splinters.
—Brian Steinberg, Variety, 20 May 2026
While the group claims it was formed by splinter factions of the Pakistani Taliban, known as Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan, authorities have accused it of being a front for the TTP.
—Riaz Khan, Los Angeles Times, 10 May 2026
Verb
The present wave of Texas secessionism began under the aegis of an organization known as the Republic of Texas, which eventually splintered into different groups.
—Scott Spires Britannica Editors June 3, Encyclopedia Britannica, 3 June 2026
And the front office has had its faith rewarded for choosing to preserve that group, rather than splinter it for cheaper options.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 1 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for splinter
Recent Examples of Synonyms for splinter
Noun
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The Valkyries built a commanding lead behind 22 points from Janelle Salaün and 19 from Williams, then spent the fourth quarter watching Natisha Hiedeman – who finished with a game-high 26 – chip away at their advantage one bucket at a time.—
Nathan Canilao,
Mercury News,
13 June 2026
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Expensive chips require capital.—
Arthur Zaczkiewicz,
Footwear News,
12 June 2026
Verb
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English Cucumbers English cucumbers, also known as greenhouse, European, or seedless cucumbers, are a type of slicing cucumber known for their softer seeds and thinner skin, which is why they're wrapped in plastic when sold at supermarkets.—
Susan Hall Mahon,
Southern Living,
8 June 2026
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This is because the main enemies in this game look to be large chitinous alien monsters, which your titular Gundam can slice into tiny pieces.—
Ollie Barder,
Forbes.com,
6 June 2026
Verb
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The jackpot hasn’t been hit in more than a month, rolling over since May 2, when tickets in Texas and Florida split a $20 million prize.—
Fernando Cervantes Jr,
USA Today,
7 June 2026
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The Stanley Cup Final shifted to Las Vegas for Game 3 with the Vegas Golden Knights and Carolina Hurricanes knotted at 1-1 after splitting the opening two games in Raleigh.—
Matt Reigle,
FOXNews.com,
7 June 2026
Noun
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The path of annularity crosses southern parts of Chile, Argentina, Uruguay and (a tiny sliver of) Brazil in South America.—
Jamie Carter,
Space.com,
10 June 2026
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Instead of being rolled, the enchiladas are stacked with slivers of tortilla, then topped with the familiar glob of cheese.—
Bud Kennedy,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
9 June 2026
Verb
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With his second consecutive victory and third this season, Denny Hamlin now trails Tyler Reddick by only 51 points, chopping 78 points off the margin in the past three seasons.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
8 June 2026
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Margot Robbie, Penélope Cruz, and Gracie Abrams have all chopped their hair.—
Anna Cafolla,
Vogue,
6 June 2026
Verb
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The lake was divided into east and west, connected by a narrow channel, with a four-lane bridge crossing over it.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
11 June 2026
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Now, ferries transport crowds to the incomplete sea fort in the middle of the Charleston Harbor to see a glimpse of life on the island and the attack that divided a nation for years to come.—
USA TODAY Network,
USA Today,
10 June 2026
Noun
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Courtesy of Rizzotti Advisors The Egadi Islands, off the western coast of Sicily, feel almost untouched, as if the Mediterranean broke off a few fragments and left them in place.—
Spencer Elliott,
Forbes.com,
6 June 2026
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And unlike Ötzi’s long-dead gut bacteria, which left just broken, aging fragments of DNA behind, the yeasts seem to be alive and reproducing (albeit at, ahem, a glacial pace).—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
6 June 2026
Noun
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Once ground was completely covered with shards of tableware, folks journeyed from their seats into the center of the room for more dancing and merrymaking.—
Tara Massouleh McCay,
Southern Living,
11 June 2026
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It's made up of exoskeletons of tiny marine animals and contains sharp shards that penetrate ants' bodies and dispatch them.—
Barbara Gillette,
The Spruce,
10 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Splinter.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/splinter. Accessed 13 Jun. 2026.
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