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 Ideas By Jane Harman February 9, 2025 7:00 AM EST Harman is a former nine-term congresswoman from California and former ranking member of the House Intelligence Committee. Jane Harman, TIME, 9 Feb. 2025 Council members, who will have final say on any changes, have mostly expressed support. David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Feb. 2025 Rockets broadcaster Ryan Hollins, a 10-year NBA veteran who was on the post-LeBron Cavaliers when James returned to Cleveland as a member of the Miami Heat, made a similar comparison Saturday. Kelly Iko, The Athletic, 9 Feb. 2025 Head over to Kansas City member station KCUR for the best experience. Npr Staff, NPR, 9 Feb. 2025 See all Example Sentences for member 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for member
Noun
  • Norton and Intego, in particular, offer firewall protection and other security components beyond the basics of malware protection.
    PCMAG, PCMAG, 6 Feb. 2025
  • Producing almost anything, anywhere, requires resources and components that cannot be found within the borders of any one country, even America.
    Ned Temko, The Christian Science Monitor, 6 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • He’s also been incarcerated in isolation for a significant portion of his time, mostly as payback for publicly humiliating the Ohio Department of Corrections.
    Bob Guccione Jr., SPIN, 11 Feb. 2025
  • Heavy snow of up to 9 inches was possible for portions of Central and Southern Delaware and Northeast Maryland.
    Joe Edwards, Newsweek, 11 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • The two paintings contain few elements that might signal a tree – a concentration of lines near the center, lines that could be branches or a central trunk and lines that could indicate the ground or a horizon.
    Mitchell Newberry, The Conversation, 11 Feb. 2025
  • Trump took office last month at a time of persistent pessimism among Americans, with an average satisfaction score across key elements of U.S. life hovering at just 38%.
    Avery Lotz, Axios, 11 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • Vought, 48, previously served as director of the OMB during part of President Donald Trump’s first term.
    Zach Halaschak, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 7 Feb. 2025
  • Our fact-check work is supported in part by a grant from Meta.
    BrieAnna J. Frank, USA TODAY, 7 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • As a result, the level of prediction accuracy was increased significantly, which improved the ability of the company to react to emerging external factors.
    Alexandra Harbert, USA TODAY, 15 Feb. 2025
  • What actually helps your nails grow? Dr. Spearman emphasizes that nutrition, hydration, proper care, and minimizing damage are key factors in promoting nail growth.
    Iman Balagam, Vogue, 15 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • In the Rocky Mountains, skiers eager for the long Presidents' Day weekend are already facing a closure on a section of Interstate 70 due to snow as officials warn of hazardous conditions on the mountain roads over the weekend.
    CBS News, CBS News, 15 Feb. 2025
  • Paramount will also take up a section of the townhouse to fête Gladiator II’s three nods as will Black Bear for the aforementioned Conclave and Sing Sing.
    Nancy Tartaglione, Deadline, 15 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • And the top-shelf ingredients also lend themselves to top-shelf prices, with gourmet chocolates averaging out at $2 apiece.
    Tori Latham, Robb Report, 8 Feb. 2025
  • The homemade sauce in this recipe is full of ingredients like maple syrup, orange juice (and garlic!), for a tangy-meets-sweet flavor that is just to die for.
    Christine Byrne, StyleCaster, 8 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • The study shows that the Palisades fire area has the highest proportion of LEP Asians, followed by those living in the Eaton evacuation zone, where a large segment of the Asian population is located.
    Ruben Vives, Los Angeles Times, 9 Feb. 2025
  • His lab is doing experiments to see whether the N segment of D1.1 viruses might allow the H protein to change and more easily infect humans.
    Brenda Goodman, CNN, 8 Feb. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near member

Cite this Entry

“Member.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/member. Accessed 20 Feb. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on member

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