PART Synonyms: 358 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'part' distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of part are division , fragment , member , piece , portion , section , and segment . While all these words mean "something less than the whole," part is a general term appropriate when indefiniteness is required. // they ran only part of the way

Q: In what contexts can 'division' take the place of 'part'?

The meanings of division and part largely overlap; however, division applies to a large or diversified part. // the manufacturing division of the company

Q: When might 'fragment' be a better fit than 'part'?

The words fragment and part are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, fragment applies to a part produced by or as if by breaking off. // only a fragment of the play still exists

Q: When could 'member' be used to replace 'part'?

While in some cases nearly identical to part , member suggests one of the functional units composing a body. // a structural member

Q: When would 'piece' be a good substitute for 'part'?

Although the words piece and part have much in common, piece applies to a separate or detached part of a whole. // a puzzle with 500 pieces

Q: Where would 'portion' be a reasonable alternative to 'part'?

The synonyms portion and part are sometimes interchangeable, but portion implies an assigned or allotted part. // cut the pie into six portions

Q: When is 'section' a more appropriate choice than 'part'?

While the synonyms section and part are close in meaning, section applies to a relatively small or uniform part. // the entertainment section of the newspaper

Q: When is it sensible to use 'segment' instead of 'part'?

In some situations, the words segment and part are roughly equivalent. However, segment applies to a part separated or marked out by or as if by natural lines of cleavage. // the retired segment of the population

Q: How is the word 'part' distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of part are division , fragment , member , piece , portion , section , and segment . While all these words mean "something less than the whole," part is a general term appropriate when indefiniteness is required. // they ran only part of the way

Q: In what contexts can 'division' take the place of 'part'?

The meanings of division and part largely overlap; however, division applies to a large or diversified part. // the manufacturing division of the company

part 1 of 3

noun

ˈpärt

Definition of part next

as in portion

one of the pieces from which something is designed to be assembled the model car came in several small parts that had to be put together

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in share

something belonging to, due to, or contributed by an individual member of a group wanted no part of the profits

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in role

the action for which a person or thing is specially fitted or used or for which a thing exists I'll do my part, so don't worry

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in land

usually parts plural a broad geographical area I'm not from around these parts

Synonyms & Similar Words

part

2 of 3

adverb

as in halfway

in some measure or degree well, you're at least part right about her original name

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

part

3 of 3

verb

as in to separate

to go or move in different directions from a central point after traveling together for three weeks, we parted at Rome

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to move

to leave a place often for another parted with great ceremony but with little preparation for the dangers that lay ahead

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to divide

to set or force apart parted the prongs with pliers

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to die

to stop living before I part, I hope I have the opportunity to say my good-byes

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word part distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of part are division, fragment, member, piece, portion, section, and segment. While all these words mean "something less than the whole," part is a general term appropriate when indefiniteness is required.

they ran only part of the way

In what contexts can division take the place of part?

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

the manufacturing division of the company

When might fragment be a better fit than part?

The words fragment and part are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, fragment applies to a part produced by or as if by breaking off.

only a fragment of the play still exists

When could member be used to replace part?

While in some cases nearly identical to part, member suggests one of the functional units composing a body.

a structural member

When would piece be a good substitute for part?

Although the words piece and part have much in common, piece applies to a separate or detached part of a whole.

a puzzle with 500 pieces

Where would portion be a reasonable alternative to part?

The synonyms portion and part are sometimes interchangeable, but portion implies an assigned or allotted part.

cut the pie into six portions

When is section a more appropriate choice than part?

While the synonyms section and part are close in meaning, section applies to a relatively small or uniform part.

the entertainment section of the newspaper

When is it sensible to use segment instead of part?

In some situations, the words segment and part are roughly equivalent. However, segment applies to a part separated or marked out by or as if by natural lines of cleavage.

the retired segment of the population

How is the word part distinct from other similar nouns?

they ran only part of the way

In what contexts can division take the place of part?

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

the manufacturing division of the company

When might fragment be a better fit than part?

The words fragment and part are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, fragment applies to a part produced by or as if by breaking off.

only a fragment of the play still exists

When could member be used to replace part?

While in some cases nearly identical to part, member suggests one of the functional units composing a body.

a structural member

When would piece be a good substitute for part?

Although the words piece and part have much in common, piece applies to a separate or detached part of a whole.

a puzzle with 500 pieces

Where would portion be a reasonable alternative to part?

The synonyms portion and part are sometimes interchangeable, but portion implies an assigned or allotted part.

cut the pie into six portions

When is section a more appropriate choice than part?

While the synonyms section and part are close in meaning, section applies to a relatively small or uniform part.

the entertainment section of the newspaper

When is it sensible to use segment instead of part?

In some situations, the words segment and part are roughly equivalent. However, segment applies to a part separated or marked out by or as if by natural lines of cleavage.

the retired segment of the population

How is the word part distinct from other similar nouns?

they ran only part of the way

In what contexts can division take the place of part?

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

the manufacturing division of the company

When might fragment be a better fit than part?

The words fragment and part are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, fragment applies to a part produced by or as if by breaking off.

only a fragment of the play still exists

When could member be used to replace part?

While in some cases nearly identical to part, member suggests one of the functional units composing a body.

a structural member

When would piece be a good substitute for part?

Although the words piece and part have much in common, piece applies to a separate or detached part of a whole.

a puzzle with 500 pieces

Where would portion be a reasonable alternative to part?

The synonyms portion and part are sometimes interchangeable, but portion implies an assigned or allotted part.

cut the pie into six portions

When is section a more appropriate choice than part?

While the synonyms section and part are close in meaning, section applies to a relatively small or uniform part.

the entertainment section of the newspaper

When is it sensible to use segment instead of part?

In some situations, the words segment and part are roughly equivalent. However, 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 part

Noun

That’s the part that maybe got lost in that conversation. —

Charlotte Observer, 30 Mar. 2026 Long drives are a big part of life in rural America, but transportation is uniquely challenging for people who are ill, elderly or both. —

Caleb Hellerman, CNN Money, 29 Mar. 2026

Adverb

The enclosed chamber offers very good heat regulation with an extruder fan, a part-cooling fan, an auxiliary part-cooling fan, and a fan to regulate the chamber. —

PC Magazine, 15 Aug. 2025 François Girard’s take — part mysterious, part mystifying — on Wagner’s last opera is one of the Met’s most interesting productions of the last decade or so, and returns for the first time since its premiere in 2013. —

David Allen, New York Times, 1 Feb. 2018

Verb

And suddenly, the clouds parted. —

Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 16 Mar. 2026 Jeanne Damas’ bangs are the ultimate example of this, parted pieces sweet and seamless enough to inspire an immediate salon session. —

Calin Van Paris, InStyle, 11 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for part

Recent Examples of Synonyms for part

Noun

Kitchen staff pile the plates high with big portions, ensuring leftovers to take home.

— Joe Marusak April 1, Charlotte Observer, 1 Apr. 2026
No substitution or compensation will be given for any portion of the prize that is not used.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 Apr. 2026

Definition of portion

Browse Nearby Words

parsons

part

partake

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Part.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/part. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of part

noun

adverb

verb

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Apart vs. A Part

Apart vs. A Part

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on part

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

verdant

Popular in Grammar & Usage

5 Verbal Slip Ups and Language Mistakes

Are You Misusing These 10 Common Words?

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

12 Words for Signs of Spring

The Opposite of Déjà Vu

The Words of the Week - Apr. 3

Why do we call it a 'flea market'?

17 Words for Dog Breeds

Popular

5 Verbal Slip Ups and Language Mistakes

12 Words for Signs of Spring

The Opposite of Déjà Vu

Games & Quizzes

Synonyms of part

noun

adverb

verb

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Phrases Containing part

Browse Nearby Words

Articles Related to part

Apart vs. A Part

Apart vs. A Part

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on part

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

verdant

Popular in Grammar & Usage

5 Verbal Slip Ups and Language Mistakes

Are You Misusing These 10 Common Words?

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

12 Words for Signs of Spring

The Opposite of Déjà Vu

The Words of the Week - Apr. 3

Why do we call it a 'flea market'?

17 Words for Dog Breeds

Popular

5 Verbal Slip Ups and Language Mistakes

12 Words for Signs of Spring

The Opposite of Déjà Vu

Games & Quizzes