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

Examples 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 These spiny mammals are members of the Erinaceidae family and date back approximately 15 million years ago. Allison Futterman, Discover Magazine, 6 Nov. 2024 Current cast members Kenan Thompson, Heidi Gardner and Bowen Yang accepted the award on behalf of the long-running sketch show. Kristen Tauer, WWD, 30 Oct. 2024 Popular on Variety Kimmel made a point of asking viewers to ask a Republican friends and family members to watch his monologue as a personal favor to them. Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 30 Oct. 2024 First responders, teachers, medical providers, nurses, doctors, military members, and veterans can take advantage of the Factor Hero Discount to save on their first order and on every box for the first year. Louryn Strampe, WIRED, 30 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for member 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for member
Noun
  • However, none of the Mac mini's internal components is upgradable after purchase, which only adds stress to the decision at checkout.
    PCMAG, PCMAG, 7 Nov. 2024
  • Buttigieg asked after the two clashed over reliance on Chinese components for electric vehicles.
    Juliann Ventura, The Hill, 5 Nov. 2024
Noun
  • Golden State didn’t qualify for the Las Vegas portion of the tournament.
    Danny Emerman, The Mercury News, 12 Nov. 2024
  • Landeskog did not remain on the ice for the full team portion of the morning skate.
    Corey Masisak, The Denver Post, 11 Nov. 2024
Noun
  • There was also an element of escapism at the concert, which took place on the evening before Election Day.
    Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 5 Nov. 2024
  • And yet who among us has not felt naïve in the pursuit of a trench, parka, or puffer that can withstand both the elements and the critical eye?
    Daniel Rodgers, Vogue, 5 Nov. 2024
Noun
  • Was your family still part of the organization when you were cast out?
    Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 8 Nov. 2024
  • Regardless, the 16-inch MacBook Pro still delivers genuinely all-day battery life, thanks in part to the M4 Pro.
    PCMAG, PCMAG, 7 Nov. 2024
Noun
  • Success or failure In the end, two main factors will shape the Party’s future more than all the bed-wetting, nit-picking, analyses and commissions.
    Carl Leubsdorf, The Mercury News, 16 Nov. 2024
  • Mortgage rates are influenced by several factors, including the yield on U.S. 10-year Treasury bonds, which lenders use as a guide to price home loans.
    Alex Veiga, The Denver Post, 15 Nov. 2024
Noun
  • Sometimes the signs of emotional abuse are not immediately apparent, but the Hotline has a comprehensive section that provides more information, examples and options for determining next steps.
    R. Eric Thomas, The Denver Post, 16 Nov. 2024
  • The school moved from 11th and Catharine to its current location on South Broad Street in 1997, and the section in front of the school was named Boyz II Men Boulevard in 2017.
    Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 15 Nov. 2024
Noun
  • Secondhand marijuana smoke has many of the same carcinogens and toxic chemicals as secondhand tobacco smoke, along with THC, the active ingredient in cannabis.
    David Stempel, The Mercury News, 9 Nov. 2024
  • How does approval for food ingredients work here in the US?
    Jonquilyn Hill, Vox, 5 Nov. 2024
Noun
  • In the next couple of years, the Big Three automakers (then Chrysler, GM and Ford) jumped into that segment and took over with the Plymouth Valiant, Chevrolet Corvair and Ford Falcon.
    David Krumboltz, The Mercury News, 10 Nov. 2024
  • For any that haven’t reached green, clicking the segment reveals exactly why and, in most cases, explains how to get a better score.
    PCMAG, PCMAG, 7 Nov. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near member

Cite this Entry

“Member.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/member. Accessed 24 Nov. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on member

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