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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

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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
Townshend’s cynicism proved prescient as the generation that marched, occupied, and dropped out in the late 1960s spent the 1970s watching the New Left splinter. — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 10 Aug. 2026 Designed for patios, balconies, porches, pool decks, and walkways that could use a little TLC, the 12-inch tiles are waterproof, splinter-free, and bring the warmth of real wood to an outdoor space on a budget. — Better Homes & Gardens, 31 July 2026
Verb
The Brussels governing system is notoriously splintered along linguistic communities, which is one reason the Brussels-Capital Region failed to form a new government between June 2024 and February 2026. — Devorah Lauter, ARTnews.com, 10 Sep. 2026 Shergill pushes back on the notion that Indian comedy audiences are splintering into narrower segments. — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 9 Sep. 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
  • Massive groups of specialised computer chips must sit very close together to work at top speed.
    — The Week UK, TheWeek, 27 Sep. 2026
  • The burger will drip all over your fries, which are included and cut like pickle chips.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 26 Sep. 2026
Definition of chip
Verb
  • Then Bottura started saucing it, slicing it and feeding event attendees who had gathered to watch the spectacle unfold.
    — Melinda Sheckells, HollywoodReporter, 23 Sep. 2026
  • There are many ways to become obsessed with life’s frame rate, with the varying speed of an action and the way that time can be sliced or spun in the presentation.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 23 Sep. 2026
Definition of slice
Verb
  • The college sports bill is splitting Senate Democrats; many aren’t backing it because it is not seen as labor-friendly, and labor groups like the AFL-CIO oppose it.
    — Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 22 Sep. 2026
  • The potential was evident in the opening minutes, when Barkov found Brady Tkachuk in stride after splitting the Hurricanes defense.
    — Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 21 Sep. 2026
Definition of split
Noun
  • But embedded in nights such as Tuesday are slivers and morsels of hope and optimism.
    — Justice delos Santos, Mercury News, 9 Sep. 2026
  • Phone makers like Samsung, Huawei and Motorola have been selling foldable phones for years, though such devices only account for a sliver of global smartphone sales.
    — Lisa Eadicicco, CNN Money, 9 Sep. 2026
Definition of sliver
Verb
  • Molli Voraotsady, the chef, was up late Saturday night chopping the mushrooms and making the marinade for the pork filling.
    — Leah Asmelash, CNN Money, 19 Sep. 2026
  • Meanwhile, at Andrew’s casket shop, Bridget uses her work there to pick his brain about the best ways to chop into human flesh.
    — Chris Spargo, PEOPLE, 18 Sep. 2026
Definition of chop
Verb
  • Double-height elements in the facade divide the tower into four sections.
    — Abhimanyu Ghoshal, New Atlas, 26 Sep. 2026
  • California voters are divided on taxing the rich, according to a new poll.
    — Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 26 Sep. 2026
Definition of divide
Noun
  • The collection underscores jewelry’s role as a way to preserve fragments of nature — material memories designed to endure.
    — Virginia Corneli, Footwear News, 23 Sep. 2026
  • The drawings render shamanic visions, fragments of the cosmos, and other entities as images.
    — Rafil Kroll-Zaidi, Harpers Magazine, 22 Sep. 2026
Definition of fragment
Noun
  • Smoke continued to rise from the twisted shards of metal, while the remains of the World Trade Center smoldered in a massive pile.
    — Sophia Leone, FOXNews.com, 10 Sep. 2026
  • Once the drop trap — a simple wire cage triggered by yanking on a cord — is set up with an enticing mix of sardines and shards of roast chicken on a cardboard tray inside, everyone moves out of sight behind massive logs a few yards away.
    — Adam Tschorn, Los Angeles Times, 8 Sep. 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 28 Sep. 2026.

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