fragment 1 of 2

verb

ˈfrag-ˌment How to pronounce fragment (audio)
Definition of fragmentnext
as in to disrupt
to cause to separate into pieces usually suddenly or forcibly you can fragment that peanut brittle easily, but how it breaks is basically up to the brittle

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

fragment

2 of 2

noun

ˈfrag-mənt How to pronounce fragment (audio)
as in piece
a broken or irregular part of something that often remains incomplete charred fragments of the exploded rocket were scattered over a huge area of ground

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How is the word fragment distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of fragment are division, member, part, piece, portion, section, and segment. While all these words mean "something less than the whole," fragment applies to a part produced by or as if by breaking off.

only a fragment of the play still exists

When would division be a good substitute for fragment?

The meanings of division and fragment largely overlap; however, division applies to a large or diversified part.

the manufacturing division of the company

When is it sensible to use member instead of fragment?

While the synonyms member and fragment are close in meaning, member suggests one of the functional units composing a body.

a structural member

Where would part be a reasonable alternative to fragment?

The words part and fragment are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, part is a general term appropriate when indefiniteness is required.

they ran only part of the way

When can piece be used instead of fragment?

In some situations, the words piece and fragment are roughly equivalent. However, piece applies to a separate or detached part of a whole.

a puzzle with 500 pieces

When could portion be used to replace fragment?

Although the words portion and fragment have much in common, portion implies an assigned or allotted part.

cut the pie into six portions

When is section a more appropriate choice than fragment?

The synonyms section and fragment are sometimes interchangeable, but section applies to a relatively small or uniform part.

the entertainment section of the newspaper

When might segment be a better fit than fragment?

While in some cases nearly identical to fragment, segment applies to a part separated or marked out by or as if by natural lines of cleavage.

the retired segment of the population

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 fragment
Verb
That's really the one of the criticisms about the opposition is that it's fragmented and therefore not effective. —Leila Fadel, NPR, 10 Sep. 2025 The erosion of cooperation fragments collective Arab action on critical issues from Gaza to Nile water disputes, accelerating regional conflicts into competing spheres of influence. —Khaled Hassan, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Sep. 2025
Noun
In case of encountering object fragments, please do not approach them and inform the police. —Bradford Betz, FOXNews.com, 10 Sep. 2025 Six copies have been found — two complete and three fragments — and they were written in three languages, just like the Rosetta Stone, according to the post. —Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 10 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for fragment
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fragment
  1. disrupt
  2. piece
  3. fracture
  4. fraction
  5. break
  6. bit
  7. disintegrate
  8. scrap
Verb
  • Additionally, pollution accumulation and vessel noise disrupt their echolocation abilities, making hunting increasingly difficult.
    — Adeola Adeosun, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Sep. 2025
  • Free of sulfates, fragrances, and dyes, the Gentle Hydrating Shampoo & Conditioner won’t disrupt your scalp’s barrier.
    — Sophia Panych, Allure, 16 Sep. 2025
Definition of disrupt
Noun
  • All of those pieces add cost, but the full cure is the most important thing.
    — Megan McIntyre, Allure, 16 Sep. 2025
  • With so much fashion existing online, there’s something refreshing about trying pieces on in-store after eyeing them first on a little screen.
    — Libby Page, Vogue, 16 Sep. 2025
Definition of piece
Verb
  • Laura is frantic about saving Daniel after learning Cherry pushed her father from a construction site, fracturing his spine in two places.
    — Erin Jensen, USA Today, 12 Sep. 2025
  • But as his grip on reality begins to fracture, the recording session spirals out of control.
    — Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 10 Sep. 2025
Definition of fracture
Noun
  • In the years since Mendoza’s sentencing, as in the years before, only a tiny fraction of farms are investigated for potential H-2A violations.
    — ProPublica, ProPublica, 13 Sep. 2025
  • Last but not least the DeFi sector – even with nearly $200 billion in total value locked – remains a miniscule fraction of the overall lending market and financial ecosystem.
    — Sean Stein Smith, Forbes.com, 13 Sep. 2025
Definition of fraction
Verb
  • Well, Kristina Collins, MD, a dermatologist based in Austin, broke it down for me.
    — Lily Wohlner, Allure, 16 Sep. 2025
  • Her backing, however, did not immediately break the dam and usher in more establishment Democratic Party support.
    — Lauren Green, The Washington Examiner, 16 Sep. 2025
Definition of break
Noun
  • In the course of his 50-plus-year writing career, there's been a good bit of debate over Stephen King's ability to deliver a satisfying ending.
    — Megan McCluskey, Time, 12 Sep. 2025
  • This evolved into a prototype chiefly engineered by Burrell Smith, selecting for its CPU the 8-bit Motorola 6809 as an upgrade from the Apple II's MOS 6502 but still keeping costs low.
    — Cameron Kaiser, ArsTechnica, 12 Sep. 2025
Definition of bit
Verb
  • These plans disintegrated in the wake of the October 7 Hamas attacks on southern Israel, which killed 1,200 people and resulted in the taking of 251 hostages.
    — Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 8 Sep. 2025
  • But explaining Dyer’s motivations in the face of a disintegrating family portrayed in & Sons remains a bit of an uphill climb for Nighy.
    — Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 7 Sep. 2025
Definition of disintegrate
Noun
  • Avoid adding smelly meats, fruit rinds or other sweet-smelling food scraps to your compost.
    — Tanasia Kenney, Charlotte Observer, 13 Sep. 2025
  • Legacy picks at the plot scraps established in prior films, but largely operates as a peculiar standalone effort.
    — Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 13 Sep. 2025
Definition of scrap

Browse Nearby Words

fragility
fragment
fragmental
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Fragment.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fragment. Accessed 16 Sep. 2025.

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