PART Synonyms: 358 Similar and Opposite Words

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

Some common synonyms of part are division , fragment , member , piece , portion , section , and segment . While all these words mean "something less than the whole," part is a general term appropriate when indefiniteness is required. // they ran only part of the way

Q: In what contexts can 'division' take the place of 'part'?

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

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

The words fragment and part are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, fragment applies to a part produced by or as if by breaking off. // only a fragment of the play still exists

Q: When could 'member' be used to replace 'part'?

While in some cases nearly identical to part , member suggests one of the functional units composing a body. // a structural member

Q: When would 'piece' be a good substitute for 'part'?

Although the words piece and part have much in common, piece applies to a separate or detached part of a whole. // a puzzle with 500 pieces

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

The synonyms portion and part are sometimes interchangeable, but portion implies an assigned or allotted part. // cut the pie into six portions

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

While the synonyms section and part are close in meaning, section applies to a relatively small or uniform part. // the entertainment section of the newspaper

Q: When is it sensible to use 'segment' instead of 'part'?

In some situations, the words segment and part are roughly equivalent. 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

part 1 of 3

noun

ˈpärt

Definition of part next

as in portion

one of the pieces from which something is designed to be assembled the model car came in several small parts that had to be put together

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Relevance

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as in share

something belonging to, due to, or contributed by an individual member of a group wanted no part of the profits

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as in role

the action for which a person or thing is specially fitted or used or for which a thing exists I'll do my part, so don't worry

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as in land

usually parts plural a broad geographical area I'm not from around these parts

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part

2 of 3

adverb

as in halfway

in some measure or degree well, you're at least part right about her original name

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part

3 of 3

verb

as in to separate

to go or move in different directions from a central point after traveling together for three weeks, we parted at Rome

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as in to move

to leave a place often for another parted with great ceremony but with little preparation for the dangers that lay ahead

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as in to divide

to set or force apart parted the prongs with pliers

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as in to die

to stop living before I part, I hope I have the opportunity to say my good-byes

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Synonym Chooser

How is the word part distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of part are division, fragment, member, piece, portion, section, and segment. While all these words mean "something less than the whole," part is a general term appropriate when indefiniteness is required.

they ran only part of the way

In what contexts can division take the place of part?

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

the manufacturing division of the company

When might fragment be a better fit than part?

The words fragment and part are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, fragment applies to a part produced by or as if by breaking off.

only a fragment of the play still exists

When could member be used to replace part?

While in some cases nearly identical to part, member suggests one of the functional units composing a body.

a structural member

When would piece be a good substitute for part?

Although the words piece and part have much in common, piece applies to a separate or detached part of a whole.

a puzzle with 500 pieces

Where would portion be a reasonable alternative to part?

The synonyms portion and part are sometimes interchangeable, but portion implies an assigned or allotted part.

cut the pie into six portions

When is section a more appropriate choice than part?

While the synonyms section and part are close in meaning, section applies to a relatively small or uniform part.

the entertainment section of the newspaper

When is it sensible to use segment instead of part?

In some situations, the words segment and part are roughly equivalent. 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 part

Noun

James, for his part, has now put up 30-plus points in 566 regular-season games, having surpassed Jordan’s total of 562 in January. —

Jamie Barton, CNN, 7 Feb. 2025 The bulk of the funds went to the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, a postgraduate institution that is part of the National University of Singapore. —

Kevin Lim, CNBC, 7 Feb. 2025

Adverb

François Girard’s take — part mysterious, part mystifying — on Wagner’s last opera is one of the Met’s most interesting productions of the last decade or so, and returns for the first time since its premiere in 2013. —

David Allen, New York Times, 1 Feb. 2018

Verb

Just as the ceremony began, however, the clouds began to part. —

Alexandra MacOn, Vogue, 27 Jan. 2025 Sun exposure: Full to part sun Soil type: Average, acidic to neutral Crabapples are stunning when in full bloom with their branches fully covered in flowers. —

Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 26 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for part

Recent Examples of Synonyms for part

Noun

Vogue may earn a portion of sales from products that are purchased through our site as part of our Affiliate Partnerships with retailers.

— Vogue Club, Vogue, 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