splintered; splintering
ˈsplin-tə-riŋ 
-triŋ
2
: to split into fragments, parts, or factions
: to become splintered
Synonyms
Examples of splinter in a Sentence
Noun
I got a splinter in my finger.
There were splinters of glass everywhere.
Verb
The board splintered under his weight.
The impact of the crash splintered the glass.
groups that have splintered off to form new political movements
a political party that has been splintered by disagreements
Recent Examples on the Web
Elizabeth Kocan, Parents, 21 Nov. 2024
Eye protection is important, too, so wear safety glasses or goggles to avoid splinters and fragments.
—Luke Miller, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 Oct. 2024
Antonio Piemontese, WIRED, 25 Nov. 2024
Their conversation focused on how the commissioning of housing is often splintered around different organizations and providers.
—Simon Perry, People.com, 20 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for splinter 
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Noun
Safety: For wooden building sets, look for smooth exteriors free from sharp edges or splinters.
—Elizabeth Kocan, Parents, 21 Nov. 2024
Eye protection is important, too, so wear safety glasses or goggles to avoid splinters and fragments.
—Luke Miller, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 Oct. 2024
Verb
The final extra day was marked by drafts, huddles, and bitter clashes behind closed doors, negotiators having splintered from the main hall into separate smaller rooms following the failure to reach a deal.
—Antonio Piemontese, WIRED, 25 Nov. 2024
Their conversation focused on how the commissioning of housing is often splintered around different organizations and providers.
—Simon Perry, People.com, 20 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for splinter
Dictionary Entries Near splinter
Cite this Entry
“Splinter.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/splinter. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
splinter
1 of 2 noun
splin·ter
ˈsplint-ər
: a thin piece split or torn off lengthwise : sliver
splinter
adjective
splinter
2 of 2 verb
splintered; splintering
ˈsplint-ə-riŋ
ˈsplin-triŋ
: to divide or break into splinters
Medical Definition
splinter
noun
splin·ter
ˈsplint-ər
: a thin piece (as of wood) split or broken off lengthwise
especially
: such a piece embedded in the skin
used tweezers to remove a splinter
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