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.

Synonyms & Similar Words

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
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 But as the season neared the winter transfer window, the expectation was for Mainoo to leave on loan rather than continue to pick up splinters on the bench. — Carl Anka, New York Times, 26 May 2026
Verb
In the year since his death, the family has splintered as readily and unexpectedly as the regions’ trees. — Angelica Calabrese, Longreads, 7 July 2026 His bid has splintered Trump-backing Republicans, who question his experience and Duffy’s influence, as rivals include former Iran hostage Kevin Hermening, business executive Jessi Ebben and other local hopefuls. — Scott Bauer, Los Angeles Times, 6 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
  • As quantum technologies become more widely available, many may need to import quantum chips from foreign suppliers and integrate them into their own computing platforms.
    — Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 18 July 2026
  • And then there’s the complex global supply chain of mirrors and lasers and rare-earth minerals that go into the chips used to train and run AI models.
    — Matteo Wong, The Atlantic, 18 July 2026
Definition of chip
Verb
  • The scramble for capacity is already spilling into the capital markets, where the risk gets sliced up and sold to investors as catastrophe bonds.
    — Dara-Abasi Ita, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026
  • Refrigerate the pie for at least 30 minutes before slicing and serving.
    — Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 July 2026
Definition of slice
Verb
  • Having split his rehab between his native Australia and the States, Toohey remained in touch with his Warriors teammates and the team’s medical staff, even if their ability to help him was limited after the Warriors waived him in December.
    — Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 15 July 2026
  • Using that Ducato model as its starting point, Westfalia splits it into three separate levels.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 15 July 2026
Definition of split
Noun
  • Who'd have thought that this thin sliver of soft sand would be the most popular beach on the island, and by far?
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 July 2026
  • By the end of the night, the room full of sweaty bodies was left basking in the gift of Madonna, feeling just one small sliver of a wider moment that has gone on to completely transcend conventional pop expectation.
    — Tom Smyth, Vulture, 14 July 2026
Definition of sliver
Verb
  • Berube says Democrats chopped the legs out from under someone who had brought people back into politics.
    — Tamara Keith, NPR, 14 July 2026
  • Picking up the ball 30 yards from goal, Messi set off on a mazy run, chopping one way and then the other, leaving a trail of players behind him.
    — Charlotte Harpur, New York Times, 10 July 2026
Definition of chop
Verb
  • Instead, the county approved a four-site plan that excludes Midland while also eliminating Sunday voting — another issue that had divided the board during lengthy negotiations.
    — Nora O'Neill, Charlotte Observer, 18 July 2026
  • Nolan divides the sacking of Troy into two lengthy sequences, both shot under cover of darkness but edited (by Jennifer Lame) with a magisterial clarity.
    — Justin Chang, New Yorker, 17 July 2026
Definition of divide
Noun
  • Further inside, a fragment of a gate has a for-sale sign, candles, guayaberas and two colorful chairs — like memories from a grandfather’s house.
    — Delia Rose Sauer, Miami Herald, 15 July 2026
  • For years, Licking had found teeth and small bone fragments on his ranch.
    — Amy B Wang, Washington Post, 14 July 2026
Definition of fragment
Noun
  • But Johnson’s lasting impact came from an uncanny ability to grab the all-encompassing darkness of his life and pull out jagged shards of beauty.
    — Steven Johnson, Washington Post, 14 July 2026
  • On a recent Thursday morning, Richetts’ artworks, the colorful shards of smooth shiny glass, were indeed speaking the language of healing — and spreading the gospel Richetts has been preaching for decades.
    — Michael James Rocha, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 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 21 Jul. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of splinter for Spanish Speakers

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