Splinters: meaning, definitions and examples

This word is typically used to describe thin, sharp pieces of wood, and often comes from something breaking, like a piece of furniture or wooden structure.

• He got several splinters in his fingers while fixing the old wooden fence.
• The carpenter carefully removed the splinters from the damaged door.

Fragments are small parts of something that has broken off, usually used for materials like glass, metal, or pottery. The word can also metaphorically refer to parts of a story, memory, or concept.

• The vase fell and shattered into countless fragments.
• She tried to piece together the fragments of her memory.

Shards refer specifically to sharp pieces of broken glass, ceramic, or similar brittle materials. The term often conveys a sense of danger due to the sharpness.

• Be careful when cleaning up the shards of glass from the broken window.
• She stepped on a shard of porcelain and cut her foot.

Slivers describe very thin, narrow pieces of material, often used for thin slices of food, wood, or even metal. The term conveys a sense of fineness and delicacy.

• He cut the meat into thin slivers to make the stir-fry.
• She felt a small sliver of wood lodge under her skin.

Used to describe small, sharp pieces of wood or other material that break off and embed in the skin, often causing minor pain or irritation.

• He got a few splinters in his hand while chopping wood.
• Careful with that old chair, it might give you splinters.

Used to describe the physical sensation of a strong or intense feeling of discomfort, symptoms of injury, illness, or emotional hurt. It can vary in intensity.

• She felt a sharp pain in her ankle after the fall.
• The news brought him great emotional pain.

Used to describe a mild or moderate physical or emotional unease or irritation. It can refer to both physical sensations and feelings.

• He felt some discomfort in his back after sitting for too long.
• The interview was causing him a great deal of discomfort.

Used to describe intense mental or emotional suffering, often associated with grief, heartbreak, or severe distress. This word has a strong, negative connotation.

• She was in anguish after hearing about the accident.
• The movie depicts the anguish of losing a loved one.

Used to describe small, sharp fragments that break off from a larger piece, usually of wood. These are often painful if they get under the skin.

• Be careful with that old wooden chair; it can give you splinters.
• He got a few splinters in his hand while chopping wood.

Commonly used to describe stopping someone from speaking or continuing their action, often temporarily. It can have a negative connotation if done rudely.

• Please do not interrupt me while I am speaking.
• The meeting was interrupted by a fire alarm.

Commonly used in the context of trains when they go off the tracks. It's also used metaphorically to describe plans or processes that go wrong or are interrupted in a significant way.

• The train derailed due to a broken rail.
• The sudden resignation of the CEO could derail the merger talks.

Used when something is redirected from its intended path or purpose. This can be physical, like a road being rerouted, or more abstract, like attention being shifted.

• The police had to divert traffic due to the accident.
• He tried to divert the conversation away from the sensitive topic.