Synonyms of splinter

splinter 1 of 2

noun

ˈsplin-tər 

as in chip

a small flat piece separated from a whole

she got a splinter from the unfinished wall

Synonyms & Similar Words

• chip
• sliver
• fragment
• shard
• flake
• splint
• spall
• shred
• sheet
• scrap
• bit
• disk
• part
• particle
• section
• leaf
• portion
• slice
• shiver
• clipping
• shave
• shaving
• smithereens
• paring
• tatter
• flinders
• snippet

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• slab
• lump
• chunk
• hunk

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

• slice
• chop
• split
• sliver
• chip
• dice
• cleave
• scissor
• hash
• mince
• rip
• slit
• slash
• gash
• rive
• julienne
• incise
• saw

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

• split
• divide
• polarize
• separate
• fragment
• fracture
• alienate
• estrange
• antagonize
• disaffect
• embitter
• disgruntle

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• unite
• unify
• reconcile
• coalesce
• harmonize
• consolidate
• concentrate
• conciliate

Example Sentences

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 bloc splintered in 2024 but appears to be reconstituting itself ahead of the midterm elections. — David A. Graham, The Atlantic, 18 Sep. 2026

Players kept trusting one another instead of allowing the losses to splinter the group. — Taylor Eldridge, Kansas City Star, 17 Sep. 2026