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 Researchers have often used the valence-electron concentration, or the number of valence electrons per atom, to classify magnetic behavior. — Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 4 Oct. 2026 In the early 1930s, scientists were just beginning to discover the extraordinary world hidden inside the atom, which is made up of a dense center, called the nucleus, with electrons orbiting around it. — Andrea Richard, The Conversation, 2 Oct. 2026 Or perhaps WIMPs have an internal structure, like an atom, and only interact if hit hard enough. — ArsTechnica, 2 Oct. 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
  • Neutrinos bump into other particles only rarely, so scientists build large detectors to improve their odds of catching collisions.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Detecting cosmic ghosts Neutrinos are the second-most prevalent particles in the entire universe besides photons, particles of light.
    — Robert Lea, Space.com, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of particle
Noun
  • The period is 2006, when the golden age of streamable content is barely a speck on the media horizon.
    — Justin Chang, New Yorker, 25 Sep. 2026
  • To make matters worse, the Houthis have captured new terrain in Yemen and acquired Perim Island, a speck of land inside the Bab el-Mandeb chokepoint that better positions the Yemeni militia to intercept oil tankers.
    — Daniel DePetris, Chicago Tribune, 15 Sep. 2026
Definition of speck
Noun
  • At the center of the MOF are positively charged metal ions connected by organic linker molecules.
    — Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 5 Oct. 2026
  • The middle zone holds polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), a plastic-like material made of long-chain molecules.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 4 Oct. 2026
Definition of molecule
Noun
  • As few as 10 cells, hidden in an infinitesimal fleck of feces, can contaminate raw milk and trigger a fatal infection.
    — CNN Money, CNN Money, 1 Oct. 2026
  • The oversized jacket featured a furry white base adorned with flecks of silver, which beautifully mirrored the sumptuous coats on the runway.
    — Chanel Vargas, InStyle, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of fleck
Noun
  • This whole bit is totally misplayed (though the gown is spectacular).
    — Brian Moylan, Vulture, 5 Oct. 2026
  • Yet beneath that paper-like surface is a surprisingly simple bit of physics.
    — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 4 Oct. 2026
Definition of bit
Noun
  • The proposals envision halting attacks on energy infrastructure, which have caused fuel shortages in Russia and power outages in Ukraine, and on Black Sea shipping needed to get vital grain exports to world markets.
    — HANNA ARHIROVA, Arkansas Online, 3 Oct. 2026
  • In the ancient world, amphorae were used to transport a variety of materials, including wine, olive oil and grain.
    — Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of grain
Noun
  • All four embrace their Crew-13 designation that pays homage in their mission patch to Apollo 13.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 2 Oct. 2026
  • The first line of defense against this has been urgent security patches to fix those software flaws that had not been exploited in the pre-AI world.
    — Ali El Kaafarani, Forbes.com, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of patch
Noun
  • The documentary’s new No-Movies are slightly longer, but still snippets of less than five minutes.
    — Laura Zornosa, Los Angeles Times, 2 Oct. 2026
  • The clip features snippets of the personal testimonies given by Perry’s close friends and family, as well as words from Perry himself.
    — Brianne Tracy, PEOPLE, 29 Sep. 2026
Definition of snippet

Browse Nearby Words

atolls
atom
atomic
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Atom.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/atom. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on atom

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about atom

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