piece 1 of 2

noun

ˈpēs How to pronounce piece (audio)
Definition of piecenext
1
as in fragment
a broken or irregular part of something that often remains incomplete a piece of stone fell from the crumbling wall

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in firearm
a portable weapon from which a shot is discharged by gunpowder carrying a piece under his coat

Synonyms & Similar Words
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

as in to build
to form by putting together parts or materials you might want to piece together a quilt from those odd patches of cloth

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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 tourbillon version encases an appealing tension between the 270-piece complication’s visceral architecture and Roth’s flair for aristocratic typefaces and theatrical curves. —Adam Erace, Fortune, 4 Apr. 2026 Best Amazon Clothing Deals Our favorite fashion finds are stylish but comfy pieces like these wide-leg pants, which look like jeans but feel like stretchy sweats. —Isabel Garcia, PEOPLE, 4 Apr. 2026
Verb
When Grandpa Henry dies and Roman is tasked with cleaning out the house, Roman discovers even more secrets and becomes determined to piece them together. —Literary Hub, 2 Mar. 2026 Without a clear presentation to Congress or a formal address to the nation, the administration's communication has been scattershot and intermittent, leaving Americans with the task of piecing it all together. —Justin Fishel, ABC News, 2 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for piece
Recent Examples of Synonyms for piece
  1. fragment
  2. composition
  3. firearm
  4. portion
  5. build
  6. bit
  7. work
  8. gun
Noun
  • Broger initially came across the shattered skull and bone fragments before contacting del Río to investigate.
    — Ryan Brennan April 4, Miami Herald, 4 Apr. 2026
  • This post has been corrected to reflect that submunitions, rather than fragments, landed in Tel Aviv, according to the source.
    — Sophie Tanno, CNN Money, 4 Apr. 2026
Definition of fragment
Noun
  • The warmth of the vanilla transforms the peach into something almost caramelized and deeply gourmand, giving the whole composition a richness that takes it to an entirely different level.
    — Kimberly Wilson, Essence, 3 Apr. 2026
  • In addition to Churchill Grounds and Clave, the center will host a music academy and a recording studio named Koolbonga Studios, named in honor of one of Williams’ most famous jazz compositions.
    — Mike Jordan, AJC.com, 2 Apr. 2026
Definition of composition
Noun
  • Bush was charged with murder, home invasion and criminal possession of a firearm.
    — Naveen Dhaliwal, CBS News, 29 Mar. 2026
  • Bush is charged with murder, home invasion and criminal possession of a firearm, and is being held in lieu of a $2 million court set bond.
    — Sean Krofssik, Hartford Courant, 29 Mar. 2026
Definition of firearm
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
Verb
  • Because the property was given special permission to build here and to date, is the only structure in Gion allowed to be above the legal limit of 39 feet.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 3 Apr. 2026
  • Amid planning for those flights, NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman says the agency will send up another Orion crew next year to rehearse rendezvous and docking procedures with moon landers being built by SpaceX and Blue Origin.
    — William Harwood, CBS News, 3 Apr. 2026
Definition of build
Noun
  • When the crew retracted the drill to replace its bit, an overpowering jet of oil fountained from the well.
    — Jeffrey Marlow, New Yorker, 5 Apr. 2026
  • Young Alfred Tennyson grew up in a similarly provincial bit of England, tucked away in his father’s vicarage on a remote part of the east coast of England in a village of fewer than a hundred souls.
    — Kathryn Hughes, The New York Review of Books, 4 Apr. 2026
Definition of bit
Noun
  • While Protect Wyoming is necessarily focused within the state and on state politics, rather than federal candidates, its work stands to influence nonresidents who hunt, fish, and recreate in the state.
    — Natalie Krebs, Outdoor Life, 3 Apr. 2026
  • For commuters like Sirena Lopez, who drives two hours each way for work, the impact is immediate.
    — Richard Ramos, CBS News, 3 Apr. 2026
Definition of work
Noun
  • That's when authorities said the homeowner allegedly pointed a gun at the worker, sending him running for his life.
    — Erika Stanish, CBS News, 2 Apr. 2026
  • The play, like the movie, is loosely based on a robbery that took place in 1972, on a boiling-hot August day, when an eccentric, deep-in-debt Vietnam veteran named John Wojtowicz entered a Chase bank in Brooklyn with a gun and two accomplices, hoping for a quick score.
    — Emily Nussbaum, New Yorker, 2 Apr. 2026
Definition of gun

Phrases Containing piece

Browse Nearby Words

piebald
piece
piece by piece
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Cite this Entry

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

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More from Merriam-Webster on piece

Nglish: Translation of piece for Spanish Speakers

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