portion 1 of 2

Definition of portionnext

portion

2 of 2

verb

Synonym Chooser

How is the word portion distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of portion are destiny, doom, fate, and lot. While all these words mean "a predetermined state or end," portion implies the apportioning of good and evil.

remorse was his daily portion

When might destiny be a better fit than portion?

The synonyms destiny and portion are sometimes interchangeable, but destiny implies something foreordained and often suggests a great or noble course or end.

the country's destiny to be a model of liberty to the world

In what contexts can doom take the place of portion?

Although the words doom and portion have much in common, doom distinctly implies a grim or calamitous fate.

if the rebellion fails, his doom is certain

When could fate be used to replace portion?

The meanings of fate and portion largely overlap; however, fate implies an inevitable and usually an adverse outcome.

the fate of the submarine is unknown

How are the words lot and portion related?

Both lot and portion imply a distribution by fate or destiny, lot suggesting blind chance.

it was her lot to die childless

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 portion
Noun
Still, a portion of each mortgage payment goes toward building equity in the home rather than going entirely toward housing expenses. Mike Winters, CNBC, 2 June 2026 Johnoson Crutchfield does not appear to own any property in Tarrant County in his own name, and neither show up as property owners in Johnson County or Ellis County, which portions of Mansfield are in. Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 June 2026
Verb
According to the company, the meals are portioned for smaller appetites, provide at least 20 grams (g) of protein, and include nutrients such as vitamin A, vitamin C, calcium, iron, or potassium, depending on the item. Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 23 Apr. 2026 My old colleague Peter Holderith tipped this off a few years ago, actually—that automakers should stop trying to cram every feature into one megascreen and portion them out into localized panels that group similar functions together. Adam Ismail, The Drive, 1 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for portion
Recent Examples of Synonyms for portion
Noun
  • Little did Franco and Beppe know at the time how significantly those clubs would figure in their destiny.
    James Horncastle, New York Times, 27 May 2026
  • People want to control their own destinies.
    Jon Ostenson, Forbes.com, 27 May 2026
Noun
  • But violence has since roared back, in part because armed groups have taken advantage of peace negotiations with Petro’s government to make territorial gains.
    Megan Janetsky, Los Angeles Times, 1 June 2026
  • All three of the women at the center of Starry were staunchly individualistic and gravitated differently toward and then away from a sense of being part of a group.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 1 June 2026
Noun
  • Nilsson’s version shares little with its source beyond Adam and Eve themselves, here recast as doughy, beigy silhouettes striking poses amid an almost psychedelic soup of parti-color fronds, blobs, and amoebas.
    Jeremy Lybarger, Artforum, 2 June 2026
  • Impressions, ad value equivalency and share of voice were artifacts of an analog era.
    Parry Headrick, Forbes.com, 1 June 2026
Verb
  • Whether stolen, borrowed, or bought, public trash cans from various cities—New York, Berlin, Rome, and Bolzano—are sparsely distributed across the hall.
    Erika Landström, Artforum, 2 June 2026
  • They’re distributed between the central Sculpture building and six standalone two- and three-bedroom casitas.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 June 2026
Noun
  • After three hours of arguments inside a Lubbock District Court Monday, Brendan Sorsby's fate will likely be decided this week by retired Judge Ken Curry in his lawsuit against the NCAA.
    Trey Wallace OutKick, FOXNews.com, 2 June 2026
  • And what do the fates of these men say about how and through whom the show defines audacity — a word that has two different interpretations and uses?
    Abbey White, HollywoodReporter, 2 June 2026
Noun
  • The senior escaped several jams to toss a five-hitter with 12 strikeouts to lead JSerra past La Mirada 3-2 for its first section title.
    Dan Albano, Oc Register, 30 May 2026
  • In the frozen food section, Deep Brands is serving Asian flavors to a diverse customer base that reflects the country, not just an Asian population, according to General Manager Kiernan Laughlin.
    Laya Neelakandan, CNBC, 29 May 2026
Noun
  • Disillusioned voters are distributed across urban, suburban, and rural zip codes in almost exactly the same proportions as the broader electorate.
    Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 2 June 2026
  • Plus, on an expressly factual level, any telling of American journalism in the early and mid 20th century that doesn’t include them—and more broadly, the real proportions of women working in the era—is a false telling.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 1 June 2026
Verb
  • There are significant worries that AI can readily go off the rails or otherwise dispense unsuitable or even egregiously inappropriate mental health advice.
    Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 28 May 2026
  • Otherwise, medical staff for the school can either write the student a prescription for an off-campus pharmacy or directly dispense the medications to the student.
    Seth Klamann, Denver Post, 28 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Portion.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/portion. Accessed 3 Jun. 2026.

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