Synonym Chooser

How is the word member distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of member are division, fragment, part, piece, portion, section, and segment. While all these words mean "something less than the whole," member suggests one of the functional units composing a body.

a structural member

In what contexts can division take the place of member?

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

the manufacturing division of the company

When is fragment a more appropriate choice than member?

Although the words fragment and member have much in common, fragment applies to a part produced by or as if by breaking off.

only a fragment of the play still exists

When is it sensible to use part instead of member?

The words part and member 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 would piece be a good substitute for member?

While the synonyms piece and member are close in meaning, piece applies to a separate or detached part of a whole.

a puzzle with 500 pieces

Where would portion be a reasonable alternative to member?

In some situations, the words portion and member are roughly equivalent. However, portion implies an assigned or allotted part.

cut the pie into six portions

When can section be used instead of member?

The words section and member can be used in similar contexts, but section applies to a relatively small or uniform part.

the entertainment section of the newspaper

When might segment be a better fit than member?

The meanings of segment and member largely overlap; 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 member Dresden’s period drama From Hilde, With Love focuses on the Hilde Coppi, a left-wing member of resistance group the Red Orchestra, who was arrested and executed by the Nazis. Scott Roxborough, The Hollywood Reporter, 17 Mar. 2025 Besides those countywide candidates, all 17 members of the Cook County board are up for re-election, as are judges, water reclamation district commissioners and two members of the county’s Board of Review. A.d. Quig, Chicago Tribune, 17 Mar. 2025 Any slip-up or act of insubordination, no matter how small, results in immediate death from the barbarous SS members running the camp. Josh Weiss, Forbes, 17 Mar. 2025 Community members clean up significant storm damage in Coosa County, Alabama, Sunday. Robert Shackelford, CNN, 17 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for member
Recent Examples of Synonyms for member
Noun
  • Risk Management Risk management is another essential component.
    True Tamplin, Forbes, 15 Mar. 2025
  • The consumer price index, an indicator of domestic demand, rose by just 0.2% last year while the tourism component increased by 3.5%.
    Evelyn Cheng, CNBC, 14 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Mayor Austin Bonta said the city is talking about whether to maintain a portion of the park for public use by all residents, not just those in the subdivision.
    Doug Ross, Chicago Tribune, 9 Mar. 2025
  • Penumbral shadow fades away As the last faint shading vanishes off the moon's right portion, the visual show comes to an end.
    Joe Rao, Space.com, 9 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • The best among them can turn the disparate elements of theater into something seamlessly whole.
    Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 19 Mar. 2025
  • Poor defense returns After cleaning up elements of their defensive play during their recent road trip, the Rangers slipped into poor habits almost immediately against Calgary.
    Peter Baugh, The Athletic, 19 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Needless to say, CNN and MSNBC (which Trump tweaked by changing its initials) are not actually part of the Democratic Party.
    Nicholas Riccardi, Chicago Tribune, 15 Mar. 2025
  • Those types of metrics are part of the reason Knoblauch is advocating for Draisaitl to win the Selke Trophy to go along with a strong Hart case.
    Daniel Nugent-Bowman, The Athletic, 15 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • This seemed to be a factor in ExxonMobil making a U-turn in their attitude toward climate change.
    Ian Dexter Palmer, Forbes, 12 Mar. 2025
  • However, the party emphasizes that achieving independence requires careful consideration of economic and social factors, including the development of a self-sustaining economy and the improvement of essential services such as health care and education.
    Faisal Kutty, Newsweek, 11 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • In the comments section, many Reddit users applauded the groom for standing up for himself.
    Ashlyn Robinette, People.com, 11 Mar. 2025
  • The exhibit had attendees embark on their own Alien-like adventure with a hurried escape-room style section that previews the Xenomorph climbing through the spaceship's tunnels.
    Faisal Kutty, Newsweek, 11 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Independent testing confirms that the supplement contains the ingredients listed on the label and is free from harmful contaminants.
    Isabel Vasquez RD LDN, Health, 16 Mar. 2025
  • While shaving cream can be effective on its own, it can also be combined with other cleaning ingredients to make even more of an impact.
    Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 16 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Thanks to this excellent execution, Dell has issued guidance for Fiscal 2026, expecting the ISG segment to grow in the high teens.
    GuruFocus, Forbes, 18 Mar. 2025
  • Each segment showcases one of the crime scenes and explores horror subgenres along the way.
    Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 18 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Member.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/member. Accessed 24 Mar. 2025.

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