FRAGMENT Synonyms: 81 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'fragment' distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of fragment are division , member , part , piece , portion , section , and segment . While all these words mean "something less than the whole," fragment applies to a part produced by or as if by breaking off. // only a fragment of the play still exists

Q: When would 'division' be a good substitute for 'fragment'?

The meanings of division and fragment largely overlap; however, division applies to a large or diversified part. // the manufacturing division of the company

Q: When is it sensible to use 'member' instead of 'fragment'?

While the synonyms member and fragment are close in meaning, member suggests one of the functional units composing a body. // a structural member

Q: Where would 'part' be a reasonable alternative to 'fragment'?

The words part and fragment 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

Q: When can 'piece' be used instead of 'fragment'?

In some situations, the words piece and fragment are roughly equivalent. However, piece applies to a separate or detached part of a whole. // a puzzle with 500 pieces

Q: When could 'portion' be used to replace 'fragment'?

Although the words portion and fragment have much in common, portion implies an assigned or allotted part. // cut the pie into six portions

Q: When is 'section' a more appropriate choice than 'fragment'?

The synonyms section and fragment are sometimes interchangeable, but section applies to a relatively small or uniform part. // the entertainment section of the newspaper

Q: When might 'segment' be a better fit than 'fragment'?

While in some cases nearly identical to fragment , segment applies to a part separated or marked out by or as if by natural lines of cleavage. // the retired segment of the population

fragment 1 of 2

verb

ˈfrag-ˌment

Definition of fragment next

as in to disrupt

to cause to separate into pieces usually suddenly or forcibly you can fragment that peanut brittle easily, but how it breaks is basically up to the brittle

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

fragment

2 of 2

noun

ˈfrag-mənt

as in piece

a broken or irregular part of something that often remains incomplete charred fragments of the exploded rocket were scattered over a huge area of ground

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How is the word fragment distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of fragment are division, member, part, piece, portion, section, and segment. While all these words mean "something less than the whole," fragment applies to a part produced by or as if by breaking off.

only a fragment of the play still exists

When would division be a good substitute for fragment?

The meanings of division and fragment largely overlap; however, division applies to a large or diversified part.

the manufacturing division of the company

When is it sensible to use member instead of fragment?

While the synonyms member and fragment are close in meaning, member suggests one of the functional units composing a body.

a structural member

Where would part be a reasonable alternative to fragment?

The words part and fragment 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 can piece be used instead of fragment?

In some situations, the words piece and fragment are roughly equivalent. However, piece applies to a separate or detached part of a whole.

a puzzle with 500 pieces

When could portion be used to replace fragment?

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

cut the pie into six portions

When is section a more appropriate choice than fragment?

The synonyms section and fragment are sometimes interchangeable, but section applies to a relatively small or uniform part.

the entertainment section of the newspaper

When might segment be a better fit than fragment?

While in some cases nearly identical to fragment, 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 fragment

Verb

While still largely fragmented, the concierge wellness segment is drawing more private equity interest. —

Tina Reed, Axios, 7 Oct. 2024 The collection includes 36 silver coins—some whole, some fragmented. —

Julia Binswanger, Smithsonian Magazine, 4 Oct. 2024

Noun

The End Zone • That shot of the doctors removing bullet fragments from Sherrod’s eye socket was cool but also pretty nasty and graphic for this show, no? —

Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 22 Oct. 2024 Cell wall fragments: Pieces of bacterial cell walls. —

Johna Burdeos, Health, 20 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for fragment

Recent Examples of Synonyms for fragment

Verb

Harris supporters called Trump a threat to democracy for his refusal to concede his 2020 loss to Biden, unfounded election fraud claims and his supporters’ Capitol riot to disrupt Biden’s presidential certification.

Julia Prodis Sulek, The Mercury News, 6 Nov. 2024
Having studied the chaotic aftermath of the 2020 election, both were now eying plans to disrupt each of the procedural steps between Election Day and the Inauguration, such as the December 11th deadline for each state to ascertain a winner, and the December 17th meeting of each state’s electors.

The New Yorker, The New Yorker, 5 Nov. 2024