piece 1 of 2

1
2
as in composition
a literary, musical, or artistic production presented a new interpretation of the piece by Mozart

Synonyms & Similar Words

3
4
as in portion
something belonging to, due to, or contributed by an individual member of a group believes his piece of the profits should be higher

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

piece

2 of 2

verb

Synonym Chooser

How is the word piece distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of piece are division, fragment, member, part, portion, section, and segment. While all these words mean "something less than the whole," piece applies to a separate or detached part of a whole.

a puzzle with 500 pieces

When is division a more appropriate choice than piece?

While in some cases nearly identical to piece, division applies to a large or diversified part.

the manufacturing division of the company

When can fragment be used instead of piece?

While the synonyms fragment and piece are close in meaning, fragment applies to a part produced by or as if by breaking off.

only a fragment of the play still exists

Where would member be a reasonable alternative to piece?

In some situations, the words member and piece are roughly equivalent. However, member suggests one of the functional units composing a body.

a structural member

When might part be a better fit than piece?

The words part and piece can be used in similar contexts, but part is a general term appropriate when indefiniteness is required.

they ran only part of the way

When would portion be a good substitute for piece?

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

cut the pie into six portions

When could section be used to replace piece?

The meanings of section and piece largely overlap; however, section applies to a relatively small or uniform part.

the entertainment section of the newspaper

In what contexts can segment take the place of piece?

The words segment and piece are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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 piece
Noun
The public offers a piece of its mind Mic's Celeste Katz discloses that Trump's controversial voter fraud panel won't let the public speak at its first meeting on July 19 but did solicit emails. The Hive, 14 July 2017 Alan Jacobs, a professor at Baylor University, has written eloquently about that last piece. Conor Friedersdorf, The Atlantic, 14 July 2017
Verb
Then, Owens and another officer were accused of beating a man so severely a plastic surgeon had to piece his face back together with two plates and 14 screws. Kristine Phillips, IndyStar, 4 July 2025 The entire piece likely stood about 5 and a half feet tall, and a similar length, when pieced back together, archaeologists said. Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 1 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for piece
Recent Examples of Synonyms for piece
Noun
  • Sowing the seeds of the solar system Meteorites are fragments of asteroids that formed 4.6 billion years ago at the same time that the planets of our solar system were taking shape.
    Robert Lea, Space.com, 16 July 2025
  • The company said the debris was nontoxic fiberglass fragments and the pieces were one square foot or smaller.
    arkansasonline.com, arkansasonline.com, 12 July 2025
Noun
  • Patterned pencil cases, colorful folders and pencil-top erasers, and composition notebooks and planners that students can decorate themselves with drawings or stickers, can all signify your child’s personality and style.
    Elisabeth Sherman, Parents, 29 July 2025
  • Its discotheque-ready adult contemporary vibes are the result of composition work by award-winning songwriter Jesse Frasure and musician Jenee Fleenor.
    Marcus K. Dowling, The Tennessean, 27 July 2025
Noun
  • That’s about when Derrick Perry, the other Marine, pulled out his firearm as others screamed at Gille to drop the knife.
    Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 27 July 2025
  • The pardon does not return the offender's right to own firearms.
    Jessie Opoien, jsonline.com, 25 July 2025
Noun
  • The team drill portion of Wednesday’s practice included several Lamb highlights.
    Jon Machota, New York Times, 31 July 2025
  • Only the inner portion of the core is actually solid; the rest is fluid.
    Meghan Bartels, Scientific American, 31 July 2025
Verb
  • Teens benefit most from opportunities that blend rigorous academics or real-world work, meaningful mentorship, and hands-on projects — experiences that build skills and confidence long after college applications are done.
    Sarah Hernholm, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025
  • For instance, social connection lifts our mood and benefits health overall — and friends can hold people accountable when building new, healthy habits.
    Rhitu Chatterjee, NPR, 14 July 2025
Noun
  • While a headboard may seem like a small design detail in your overall bedroom layout, a little bit of creativity can make a big impact.
    Rebecca Shinners, Architectural Digest, 24 July 2025
  • The Martin County Sheriff’s Office says while the couple was waist deep in the water with their dog, an alligator bit the hand and wrist of the woman and dragged her under the water.
    Gershon Harrell, Sun Sentinel, 24 July 2025
Noun
  • Although there was talk of razing the church the following week, demolition work didn't begin until September.
    Chris Foran, jsonline.com, 31 July 2025
  • Perhaps most importantly, RPA frees human staff for more valuable, meaningful work.
    Kali Durgampudi, Forbes.com, 31 July 2025
Noun
  • Local officers and highway patrol with what was apparently looked like guns drawn according to an eyewitness.
    Jenna Sundel Gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Aug. 2025
  • Mondal also told police his wife pointed a gun at him.
    Quinlan Bentley, The Enquirer, 1 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Piece.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/piece. Accessed 5 Aug. 2025.

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