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
Meanwhile, the National section will be split, with one section focused on Politics and Government and another on National reporting. Liam Reilly, CNN, 10 Mar. 2025 The 1989 Loma Prieta Earthquake severely damaged the Bay Bridge, leading to a decision to replace its eastern section rather than merely repair or refit it. Dan Walters, The Mercury News, 10 Mar. 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
  • No hydrants Countryside Fire District personnel battled a house fire on March 1 in Long Grove, the district reported.
    Clifford Ward, Chicago Tribune, 7 Mar. 2025
  • Five schools previously considered for closure or conversion in the Fort Worth Independent School District will remain open and unchanged, district officials said.
    Lina Ruiz, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Mayor Austin Bonta said the city is talking about whether to maintain a portion of the park for public use by all residents, not just those in the subdivision.
    Doug Ross, Chicago Tribune, 9 Mar. 2025
  • Penumbral shadow fades away As the last faint shading vanishes off the moon's right portion, the visual show comes to an end.
    Joe Rao, Space.com, 9 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • My parting goal to you is to climb high, come down, and always have fun.
    Sean McNally, Outdoor Life, 13 Mar. 2025
  • Growing Conditions: Full to part sun and moist to dry soil Size: 40-50 feet tall Zones: 5-7 11 of 11 Quaking Aspen For a yard tree, quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides) is hard to beat.
    Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • Maradona died during home hospitalization in the private neighborhood of San Andrés, in the town of Tigre, 14 days after undergoing surgery for a subdural hematoma.
    Gilles Salomone, CNN, 11 Mar. 2025
  • Among the people living in this neighborhood was David Anan.
    Edna Bonhomme, Rolling Stone, 11 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Each segment showcases one of the crime scenes and explores horror subgenres along the way.
    Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 18 Mar. 2025
  • Thanks to this excellent execution, Dell has issued guidance for Fiscal 2026, expecting the ISG segment to grow in the high teens.
    GuruFocus, Forbes, 18 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • The Pentagon's new policy to separate transgender U.S. service members from the military is facing its first legal test as Judge Reyes considers issuing an order blocking the policy from taking effect.
    Peter Charalambous, ABC News, 12 Mar. 2025
  • The couple eventually separated and then divorced in 1990.
    Alex Gurley, People.com, 12 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • The Finnish central bank chief is also a member of the governing board of the European Central Bank, which makes decisions on monetary policy for the euro zone.
    Chloe Taylor,Sawdah Bhaimiya,Jenni Reid, CNBC, 14 Mar. 2025
  • For Connecticut homeowners, DEEP recommends the following steps to protect family members and the home: Make a fire-safe zone around your house.
    Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 14 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Creating lasting impressions with multi-sensory engagement In a world where attention is fragmented, businesses that engage customers on multiple sensory levels create more memorable and meaningful experiences.
    Rhett Power, Forbes, 2 Mar. 2025
  • This stage is important for memory processing and creative sleeping, and fragmenting that sleep could affect brain function.
    Madeline Holcombe, CNN, 26 Jan. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Section.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/section. Accessed 21 Mar. 2025.

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