portion 1 of 2

portion

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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
Changes to birthright laws would impact a large portion of the U.S. population. Ramon Padilla, USA Today, 18 May 2025 The federal government contributes the other 60% and covers a portion of the insurer’s operating expenses. Rose Schnabel, Sun Sentinel, 18 May 2025
Verb
How to easily portion ground beef Tubed meat and ground beef are great in larger portions for portioning out and freezing. Cody Godwin, USA Today, 15 Apr. 2025 For clean cuts when portioning, dip the knife or bench scaper in flour before slicing. Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 14 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for portion
Recent Examples of Synonyms for portion
Noun
  • Since the world is tightly interconnected, controlling the digital destiny of your business is key to managing the risks of the ongoing digital transformation.
    Kevin Korte, Forbes.com, 23 May 2025
  • Indiana has found a way to come back from massive deficits multiple times during this playoff run, giving thought to them being the team of destiny.
    Matt Levine, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 May 2025
Noun
  • Fortunately, much of our [Handmaid's] crew came to be part of that.
    EW.com, EW.com, 27 May 2025
  • Dina has been shot by an arrow in the crossfire of the war between the Washington Liberation Front/Wolves, the militia that Abby is a part of, and the Seraphites, a cult-ish religious group fond of lynching.
    Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 27 May 2025
Noun
  • General and President Dwight D. Eisenhower was not a political angel and made his share of mistakes, like all who engage in politics.
    George Liebmann, Baltimore Sun, 21 May 2025
  • This article has been updated to better reflect the record price of the company’s shares.
    Arjun Kharpal, CNBC, 21 May 2025
Verb
  • Partnering with local community groups that already distribute these materials could increase your impact.
    Kwame Anthony Appiah, New York Times, 21 May 2025
  • The mattress is available in varying levels of thickness (6-, 8-, 10-, and 12-inch), with the increasing thicknesses distributed across each layer.
    Nashia Baker, Architectural Digest, 20 May 2025
Noun
  • The episode then cut to black, meaning Ellie's fate will remain up in the air for a few years until Season 3 eventually rolls around.
    Megan McCluskey, Time, 26 May 2025
  • The girl must use her brother’s identity to escape death, avoid her fate and rise to power.
    Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 25 May 2025
Noun
  • On occasion an ethical will is part of the regular will and might even be integrated to the point that there isn’t a clear separation between the legally binding sections and the ethical will portions.
    Bob Carlson, Forbes.com, 22 May 2025
  • Spanx Get Moving Shelf Tank Matching sweat sets aren’t the only loungewear essentials hiding in Spanx’s sale section right now: There’s plenty of activewear to be found, too.
    Averi Baudler, People.com, 22 May 2025
Noun
  • While shipments of both passenger cars and vans decreased, the company is noticing a higher proportion of more premium vehicles, such as Mercedes-AMG models.
    Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 16 May 2025
  • Even on a total dollar basis across all states, not just those adopting Medicaid expansion, blue states received a lower proportion of Medicaid funding from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services than the federal government collected from them in federal tax receipts.
    Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Time, 16 May 2025
Verb
  • The Drama League, made up of industry professions, producers, artists, audiences and critics, first dispensed awards in 1922 and formalized the practice in 1935, making the The Drama League Awards the oldest theatrical honors in America.
    Greg Evans, Deadline, 16 May 2025
  • The ensuing conflict between them takes an abrupt turn into a hotel-room two-hander as Anima fastens Abel to a bed and coerces him into confronting his feelings by playing his own music to him and dispensing shallow insights about how his songs’ upbeat melodies belie their cry-for-help content.
    Charles Bramesco, IndieWire, 15 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Portion.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/portion. Accessed 30 May. 2025.

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