atom

noun

ˈa-təm How to pronounce atom (audio)
Definition of atomnext
as in particle
a very small piece give me just one atom of information about the novel's surprise ending

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 atom Replicating the process that stars use to produce energy, nuclear fusion typically sees hydrogen atoms fuse to form helium and release large amounts of energy as a by-product. — Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 3 Aug. 2026 In gases, such as air, atoms and molecules are separated from each other by lots of space. — Robin MacAluso, The Conversation, 3 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for atom
Recent Examples of Synonyms for atom
  1. particle
  2. speck
  3. molecule
  4. fleck
  5. bit
  6. grain
  7. patch
  8. snippet
Noun
  • Giant fans at the air bases would blow the pale particles around, Jack said, putting him directly in the path of the chemical.
    — Nicole Borman, Miami Herald, 30 July 2026
  • These particles act as seeds on which water vapor condenses to form cloud droplets.
    — Yunyao Li, The Conversation, 30 July 2026
Definition of particle
Noun
  • By Pond Farm is now asking a speck under $4 million with Turpin Realtors/Forbes Global Properties.
    — Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 28 July 2026
  • Rather than waiting several years to look at the object through the VLT once more, Sutlieff, Bonse and their colleagues dove into older, archival imagery of the star system, looking for signs of their speck.
    — Adam Kovac, Scientific American, 15 July 2026
Definition of speck
Noun
  • Searching a near-infinite chemical universe, Stokes’s team asked a model to generate candidate molecules.
    — Dr. Mario García, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026
  • In each antenna, a complex series of molecules maintains their circadian clock , which, when combined with sunlight cues, gives them their sense of direction.
    — Vann R. Newkirk II, The Atlantic, 28 July 2026
Definition of molecule
Noun
  • One image of her right knee showed flecks of blue plastic that prosecutors said came from an inflatable pool Burke used to collect blood while dismembering her body.
    — Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 21 July 2026
  • Someone unfamiliar with salt bread might even suspect a major baking error, seeing a questionably smooth croissant that entirely missed the lamination process, adorned with only a few flecks of salt acting as its saving grace.
    — Candy Hom, AJC.com, 19 July 2026
Definition of fleck
Noun
  • And in April 2026 a researcher chasing Project Eleven's Q-Day Prize broke a 15-bit key on real quantum hardware.
    — Boaz Sobrado, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2026
  • This light, summery soup is filled with fresh sweet corn and zucchini, and topped with savory bacon bits.
    — Hannah Agran, Midwest Living, 2 Aug. 2026
Definition of bit
Noun
  • The second follows in winter through the barn door, because grain is feed, often the largest variable cost in pork, chicken, eggs, milk and beef; those contract highs in Paris are next winter’s feed bills arriving early.
    — Ingmar Rentzhog, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026
  • Under Kennedy’s stewardship, the HHS inverted the traditional food pyramid which placed grains at the bottom (most consumed) and fats and oils at the top (least consumed).
    — Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 31 July 2026
Definition of grain
Noun
  • These plant pests stimulate the Mexican petunia foliage to grow hairlike portions that form the white patches.
    — Tom MacCubbin, The Orlando Sentinel, 1 Aug. 2026
  • After a brief rough patch, Montgomery has ranked up his production at the plate lately.
    — Mike Barner, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026
Definition of patch
Noun
  • The performance moved smoothly along at a breakneck pace, evenly showcasing each of the big stars, while still managing to feel like a cohesive performance as opposed to just a series of snippets sewn together.
    — Jim Harrington, Mercury News, 19 July 2026
  • In a separate June 29 filing, Clenney’s lawyers argued prosecutors are presenting a misleading snippet of the February 2022 elevator video.
    — Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, FOXNews.com, 18 July 2026
Definition of snippet

Browse Nearby Words

atolls
atom
atomic
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Cite this Entry

“Atom.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/atom. Accessed 5 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on atom

Nglish: Translation of atom for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about atom

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