section 1 of 2

1
as in district
an area (as of a city) set apart for some purpose or having some special feature several abandoned warehouses in the city's industrial section are being converted into art galleries and artists' lofts

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in portion
one of the pieces from which something is designed to be assembled had trouble fitting the sections of the bookcase together

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

section

2 of 2

verb

Synonym Chooser

How is the word section distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of section are division, fragment, member, part, piece, portion, and segment. While all these words mean "something less than the whole," section applies to a relatively small or uniform part.

the entertainment section of the newspaper

In what contexts can division take the place of section?

Although the words division and section have much in common, division applies to a large or diversified part.

the manufacturing division of the company

When is it sensible to use fragment instead of section?

The words fragment and section 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 is member a more appropriate choice than section?

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

a structural member

When can part be used instead of section?

The synonyms part and section are sometimes interchangeable, but 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 section?

The words piece and section can be used in similar contexts, but piece applies to a separate or detached part of a whole.

a puzzle with 500 pieces

When could portion be used to replace section?

While the synonyms portion and section are close in meaning, portion implies an assigned or allotted part.

cut the pie into six portions

When might segment be a better fit than section?

In some situations, the words segment and section 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 section
Noun
Lastly, the Constitutional Court deliberated at length and came to its decision—even if a large section of the nation of 50 million disagrees with it as evidenced by the crowds thronging Seoul’s streets. Charlie Campbell, Time, 4 Apr. 2025 Most annual auto renewal tickets in the reserved sections will remain one-year commitments and those prices have not been announced yet. Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 3 Apr. 2025
Verb
While working in sections can feel time-consuming, sectioning your hair at the right point in your routine can save you a lot of time. Annie Blay, Allure, 23 Dec. 2024 Adding contrast to the steel profiles are expansive glass walls and sleek steel racks that section the space into distinct areas for the brand’s latest women’s and men’s ready-to-wear collections, accessories and footwear. Denni Hu, WWD, 13 Dec. 2024 See All Example Sentences for section
Recent Examples of Synonyms for section
Noun
  • Albuquerque, in particular, is a largely Democratic district.
    Jenny Goldsberry, The Washington Examiner, 31 Mar. 2025
  • When a house is slated to be built in the historic districts of St. Augustine, Florida, the city requires that archaeologists conduct a survey—and, if need be, an excavation—of the site prior to construction.
    Eli Wizevich, Smithsonian Magazine, 31 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Mary, Chrissy, Kamilla, Kyle, David, Star, and Sai (who got the advantage fast pass to the individual portion of the contest) then advanced to round two.
    Dalton Ross, EW.com, 3 Apr. 2025
  • ByteDance originally faced a Jan. 19 deadline to sell TikTok, but Trump signed an executive order instructing the attorney general to not enforce the law, granting the company 75 more days to unload the U.S. portion of its business.
    CJ Haddad, CNBC, 2 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • That's when glorious God gave Moses the power to part the water by raising his arm.
    Holly Rizzuto Palker, Parents, 27 Mar. 2025
  • Jeffrey respected her wishes and the two parted for a summer.
    Aditi Shrikant, CNBC, 19 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • The neighborhood, which stretches from 59th to 96th Streets, has long been a pillar of fine dining in New York City, known for its white tablecloth restaurants that have served patrons for decades—and in some cases, for well over half a century.
    Elise Taylor, Vogue, 4 Apr. 2025
  • Before his arrest, Abrego Garcia lived in a quiet neighborhood of single-family homes with large back and front yards, with trees blossoming in spring.
    Rebecca Morin, USA Today, 4 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Other performers this season include Noah Kahan, Michael B. Jordan, Samara Joy, Chris Stapleton, Renee Rapp, Jonathan Van Ness and Billie Jean King joining for songs and other segments.
    Jem Aswad, Variety, 10 Apr. 2025
  • One recent example that offers broader lessons for executives across sectors comes from the mental health innovation space, specifically the biotech and therapeutics segment.
    Natalie Dolphin, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • The sleeping space is separated from the living room and kitchen by an arched wall, making this a good option for couples who don’t fear an open plan.
    Erika Owen, Architectural Digest, 5 Apr. 2025
  • That said, a couple key differences in the eras: Goalies' gear covers more of the goal today Only a few years separate Ovechkin and Gretzky, but like any other sport, hockey equipment evolved during these four-plus decades.
    Jim Sergent, USA Today, 5 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • California taxpayers affected by the Los Angeles County fires who don’t live or own businesses in the disaster zone can request an extension as well, the IRS said.
    Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 7 Apr. 2025
  • Guests will find six water slides – including family raft slides – splash pads and more, located in an outdoor zone called Sunsation Point.
    Nathan Diller, USA Today, 7 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • The industry generates an enormous amount of it, yet most of that information is fragmented, making AI’s full potential hard to reach.
    Derek Streat, Forbes.com, 2 Apr. 2025
  • Currently, our cyber defense is disastrously fragmented across multiple entities—U.S. Cyber Command (CYBERCOM), NSA, Department of Homeland Security, CISA, FBI, and the private sector.
    Jason D. Greenblatt, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Section.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/section. Accessed 14 Apr. 2025.

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