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 Around the year 1730, church leaders hired a congregation member named John Gibbs to paint 16 angels on the interior upper arches. Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 2 Jan. 2025 If kids or other family members are factored in that worker is below the poverty level. Brittney Melton, NPR, 2 Jan. 2025 LaFleur was a member of the 49ers staff when Garoppolo was traded to the 49ers in 2017. Gary Klein, Los Angeles Times, 1 Jan. 2025 The Washington Post first reported on the CDC's data, which found that in December alone, 781 cruise ship passengers and 109 crew members had fallen sick. Paul Du Quenoy, Newsweek, 1 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for member 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for member
Noun
  • The firm is also testing new color components to reduce the use of chemical binders and focusing on alternative finishing products.
    Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 30 Dec. 2024
  • The spine serves as the architectural cornerstone of the human body, providing biomechanical support and protecting the spinal cord—a critical component of the central nervous system responsible for transmitting neurological signals from the brain to the rest of the body.
    Richard Menger MD MPA, Forbes, 1 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • Save a portion of your peak-season earnings to cover the slower months.
    Melissa Houston, Forbes, 21 Dec. 2024
  • The Rain Forest portion of the spa features heated seats, a chilled room for cryotherapy, and an outdoor portion with swings, day beds, and a hot tub.
    Leslie D. Rose, Parents, 20 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • To determine the right model for your business, professor Sebastian Reiche’s award-winning framework emphasizes balancing autonomy with interdependence – two critical elements shaping today’s companies. 4.
    IESE Business School, Forbes, 19 Dec. 2024
  • The show suggests that Ailey worked in ways similar to Valentim—both were reaching back in time, retrieving elements of Africa’s past via abstraction.
    Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 19 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • But perhaps most famous of all was Laurence Olivier’s near-mythic turn, performed in repertory as part of The Old Vic company in 1946 (The Old Vic had yet to be rebuilt after it was bombed in the war).
    Olivia Marks, Vogue, 2 Jan. 2025
  • Xu’s work is on view this month as part of the exhibition Dream Time at the UCCA Center for Contemporary Art, in Beijing.
    Rafil Kroll-Zaidi, Harper's Magazine, 2 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • And when money is little to no object, the convenience factor goes up exponentially.
    Peter Nelson, The Verge, 23 Dec. 2024
  • The club said blocking the wind was also a factor in this move.
    Charlotte Harpur, The Athletic, 23 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • Stephan Grupp, section chief of cellular therapy and transplant at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, says doctors will likely need to secure a single case agreement from insurers on behalf of their patients.
    Emily Mullin, WIRED, 23 Dec. 2024
  • Other sections of Act 372 went into effect in 2023.
    Worth Sparkman, Axios, 23 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • Walking tours through this bustling district reveal a rich tapestry of Filipino-Chinese heritage, from ancient temples and traditional herbal shops to iconic eateries and markets filled with eye-catching ingredients.
    Ching Dee, Forbes, 2 Jan. 2025
  • There's an on-site vineyard serving wine made on the premise, and a lovely restaurant, Tillie's, which uses fresh ingredients from local farms and ranches.
    Gabrielle Nicole Pharms, Travel + Leisure, 1 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • As a result, the residential recycling segment of his business is rapidly growing, said Putegnat, 51.
    Rick Jervis, USA TODAY, 18 Dec. 2024
  • The anchor usually talks to his subjects for about 45 minutes to an hour, and then edits the conversation into a segment that lasts 7 and a half to 8 minutes.
    Brian Steinberg, Variety, 18 Dec. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near member

Cite this Entry

“Member.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/member. Accessed 7 Jan. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on member

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!