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
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 Militant groups operating in northern Nigeria include Boko Haram and a splinter organization that broke away to affiliate with the Islamic State group. — ABC News, 24 May 2026
Verb
The one-time 5% tax on the state’s billionaires has rocked Sacramento in recent months, sharply dividing Democrats and splintering labor coalitions. — Grace Hase, Mercury News, 26 June 2026 The apartment, though no one’s idea of a fun house, is bedecked with mirrors, and, early on, the cinematographer Adam Newport-Berra uses them to splinter the couple’s every argument into fragments. — Justin Chang, New Yorker, 19 June 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
  • Apple has historically tapped Broadcom for connectivity chips that help its devices connect to cellular, WiFi and Bluetooth networks.
    — Alexa LoMonaco, CNBC, 11 July 2026
  • Jordan's first try from a chip kick by Jordie Barrett and a skillful recovery by Leroy Carter gave New Zealand the lead for the first time and against the run of play in the 30th minute.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 11 July 2026
Definition of chip
Verb
  • The magazine’s anatomically graphic photos—rats butchered alive, dogs with their faces sliced open, monkeys screaming at the electrodes implanted in their abdomens—seemed like windows into hell.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 10 July 2026
  • Cover with foil and allow to stand for 10 minutes before slicing and serving.
    — Wini Moranville, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 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
  • Democrats divided over Israeli conduct Khanna is the second Democrat considering a White House bid to visit the region this week.
    — Rami Ayyub, USA Today, 11 July 2026
  • That might mean structured group tasks in which pupils have to negotiate disagreement rather than simply divide the workload.
    — Dan Fitzpatrick, Forbes.com, 11 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
  • Schippers created the work as part of a Floor Covering Series, which also included floors covered with glass shards and salt.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 9 July 2026
  • The laminate reinforces the glass to create a shatter-resistant barrier, preventing shards of glass from flying out during extreme weather.
    — Michelle Mullins, Chicago Tribune, 5 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 17 Jul. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of splinter for Spanish Speakers

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