part 1 of 3

Definition of partnext

part

2 of 3

adverb

part

3 of 3

verb

1
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2
3
4

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

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

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
That’s the part that maybe got lost in that conversation. Charlotte Observer, 30 Mar. 2026 Long drives are a big part of life in rural America, but transportation is uniquely challenging for people who are ill, elderly or both. Caleb Hellerman, CNN Money, 29 Mar. 2026
Adverb
The enclosed chamber offers very good heat regulation with an extruder fan, a part-cooling fan, an auxiliary part-cooling fan, and a fan to regulate the chamber. PC Magazine, 15 Aug. 2025 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
Inter’s cerebral midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan bore down on goal and Milan’s defence parted like the waves, as their remaining centre-backs got pulled out of position by clever runs from Ange-Yoan Bonny and Nicolo Barella. James Horncastle, New York Times, 10 Mar. 2026 Trumpet honeysuckle grows best in Zones US, MS, LS, and CS (USDA 6 to 9) and prefers full sun to part shade and regular water. Zoe Gowen, Southern Living, 8 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for part
Recent Examples of Synonyms for part
Noun
  • Kitchen staff pile the plates high with big portions, ensuring leftovers to take home.
    Joe Marusak April 1, Charlotte Observer, 1 Apr. 2026
  • No substitution or compensation will be given for any portion of the prize that is not used.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Stock Chart IconStock chart icon Nebius shares year-to-date.
    Kai Nicol-Schwarz, CNBC, 31 Mar. 2026
  • And a disproportionate share of Florida workers are employed in seasonal or part-time industries, like tourism, meaning fewer receive insurance through their employers.
    Max Klaver, Miami Herald, 31 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Suggest a timeline that protects quality, confirm roles in writing, and schedule a brief follow-up to keep everyone aligned, whether partnered, solo, or collaborating.
    Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 2 Apr. 2026
  • The city manager’s roles are absorbed by the mayor, who makes $273,063 as of 2026, and several directors who make less than Jones and his deputy city managers.
    Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 2 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Framed as deregulation, the bill sets a statewide minimum lot size of 1,500 square feet while also shrinking setbacks and eliminating dimensional requirements that could stand in the way of building multiple compact homes on at least four acres of land.
    Mark Dee March 28, Idaho Statesman, 28 Mar. 2026
  • The all-volunteer Planning Commission considers matters related to land-use planning and development, implements the city’s general plan, reviews development applications and serves as an intermediary between the public and the City Council.
    Phil Diehl, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Mar. 2026
Adverb
  • Look at the two men, halfway down, holding lights.
    Nicole Young, CBS News, 29 Mar. 2026
  • Jack Black has never been one to do things halfway — and his latest public appearance proved that in spectacular fashion.
    Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 27 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • The fees would go to the city’s Housing Trust Fund, which offers money to separate development projects that create or maintain affordable housing across the city.
    Chris Higgins, Kansas City Star, 31 Mar. 2026
  • The two have largely been on their own since Estrada Juarez separated from Bello’s father nearly 20 years ago.
    Mathew Miranda, Sacbee.com, 31 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Records show frequent transfers—sometimes in rapid succession—moving funds from TourProdEnter to the Florida LLCs, and in some instances continuing even after a company had been formally dissolved.
    Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 27 Mar. 2026
  • But their discharge petition, introduced last week, is short of the 218 signatures needed to move forward.
    CBS News, CBS News, 27 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • The site is being divided into several parcels, one destined for a Yokohama-like building with an attached hotel, another for housing, a third for shipping perishable freight.
    Justin Davidson, Curbed, 1 Apr. 2026
  • Polls show the nation is sharply divided over the issue of American citizenship for newborn children of unauthorized immigrants.
    Devin Dwyer, ABC News, 1 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Part.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/part. Accessed 2 Apr. 2026.

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