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
The supporters section on the south end will have 2,000 standing seats—there is an ability to expand the section over time—with the steepest rake allowed by building code, bringing them 30 feet closer to the pitch than the same seats at Soldier Field. Tim Newcomb, Forbes.com, 16 June 2025 Parish was initially sectioned to a secure facility in Devon where he was later released into custody and charged, per the police statement. Lesley Cosme Torres, People.com, 27 May 2025
Verb
Fans showed their excitement for Atkinson’s return in the comment section. Stephanie Wenger, People.com, 13 Aug. 2025 Now, Hinds has again taken to the comments section, confirming that his exit from the band was not a voluntary one. Tyler Jenke, Billboard, 13 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for section
Recent Examples of Synonyms for section
Noun
  • Meanwhile, the girl's mother contacted several officials at the school and district and received pushback.
    Jolene Almendarez, The Enquirer, 23 Aug. 2025
  • Since late 2023, the sewage district has been working to rehabilitate the pipes in case of a weather event like this month's storm.
    Maia Pandey, jsonline.com, 22 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • States are already grappling with a host of responsibilities the federal government has handed off, including paying a portion of food assistance benefits for the first time.
    Sarah D. Wire, USA Today, 25 Aug. 2025
  • The northern lights could be visible from some parts of the Upper Midwest, including North Dakota, the northern portion of Minnesota, far northern Wisconsin and Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.
    Zachary Folk, Forbes.com, 24 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • But the highlight of the night's look was her surprising hair choice: the platinum locks, parted and worn down.
    Jay Stahl, USA Today, 16 Aug. 2025
  • Of course, there was still the series' finale to look forward to and consider — at least that might leave audiences with a blissful, parting image of Parker’s Carrie Bradshaw.
    Tom Gliatto, People.com, 15 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • For months, however, the proposal has been in limbo as gang violence surges, more neighborhoods fall and the country sets a new record, 1.3 million, for the number of people displaced by the violence.
    Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 14 Aug. 2025
  • Council members emphasize community accountability and the need for residents to actively participate in creating safer neighborhoods.
    Caroline Neal, Louisville Courier Journal, 14 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • The company’s live entertainment segment meanwhile reported a 39.7% drop in adjusted EBITDA in the second quarter.
    Chloe Taylor,Jenni Reid,Holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 21 Aug. 2025
  • Grand Avenue and LeJeune Road, doesn’t yet connect to the other finished segment.
    Andres Viglucci, Miami Herald, 21 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • The Jose Peralta School of Dreamers in Queens, and her mom were separated from her 19-year-old brother during an immigration check-in on Tuesday at 26 Federal Plaza, according to the family and their advocates.
    Cayla Bamberger, Chicago Tribune, 16 Aug. 2025
  • Here's where smart agencies are separating themselves from the pack, with practical AI integration that empowers agents rather than sidelines them.
    Joel Frenette, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Daboll made his way down the sideline to watch with Dart as No. 3 quarterback Jameis Winston faced a third down in the red zone late in the third quarter.
    Dan Duggan, New York Times, 17 Aug. 2025
  • Details on the election process are thin, but many citizens could be casting their votes in an active conflict zone or under the eyes of armed soldiers – a terrifying prospect that some say could lead to more violence.
    Helen Regan, CNN Money, 17 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • As with the start of any technology, it has been largely fragmented among a multitude of vendors.
    Diana Olick, CNBC, 15 Aug. 2025
  • The sector, once fragmented, began moving toward coherence, driven not by compliance, but by shared purpose.
    Thomas Lim, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Section.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/section. Accessed 27 Aug. 2025.

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