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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
  • This natural process splits water molecules and steadily produces pure hydrogen gas within the surrounding rock formations.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 29 Sep. 2026
  • The two began dating in 2021 following Giancola’s split from ex-fiancé Christian Biscardi.
    — Stephanie Sengwe, PEOPLE, 28 Sep. 2026
Definition of split
Noun
  • Here, generous sleeves and fluid movement deliver plenty of drama without exposing so much as a sliver of skin.
    — Sarah Zendejas, Vogue, 25 Sep. 2026
  • Layer a simple white tank underneath so only a sliver peeks out from the collar.
    — Julia Morlino, Travel + Leisure, 24 Sep. 2026
Definition of sliver
Verb
  • Return the meatballs to the skillet along with the reserved pineapple tidbits and ½ cup chopped green bell pepper.
    — Maggie Meyer Glisan, Better Homes & Gardens, 27 Sep. 2026
  • Scotto spent years washing dishes before he was trusted to chop onions or peel potatoes.
    — Tatiana Sataua, Fortune, 26 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
  • Hanging from a gantry erected in the interior courtyard of the palazzo, tire fragments are threaded together and reassembled into hulking blasting mats.
    — Tina M. Campt, Artforum, 1 Oct. 2026
  • As attention fragments across endless feeds and screens, the moments people choose to show up for in person have become some of the most valuable in media.
    — William Earl, Variety, 29 Sep. 2026
Definition of fragment
Noun
  • Students sitting with arms linked at the elbows could only see in shards through a picket of shin guards, restricting their view of the area where classmates and roommates were dragged one by one and zip-tied face down on the spring grass.
    — Sophie Landres, Artforum, 1 Oct. 2026
  • Windows had been boarded up to avoid glass shards hurting anyone in case of an explosion.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 27 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 2 Oct. 2026.

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