Definition of constituentnext

constituent

2 of 2

adjective

Synonym Chooser

How is the word constituent distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of constituent are component, element, and ingredient. While all these words mean "one of the parts of a compound or complex whole," constituent stresses its essential and formative character.

the constituents of a chemical compound

How are the words component and constituent related?

Both component and constituent may designate any of the substances (whether elements or compounds) or the qualities that enter into the makeup of a complex product; component stresses its separate entity or distinguishable character.

the components of a stereo system

When is it sensible to use element instead of constituent?

While the synonyms element and constituent are close in meaning, element applies to any such part and often connotes irreducible simplicity.

the basic elements of geometry

When is ingredient a more appropriate choice than constituent?

Although the words ingredient and constituent have much in common, ingredient applies to any of the substances which when combined form a particular mixture.

the ingredients of a cocktail

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 constituent
Noun
And lawmakers from states newer to the early-primary lineup are already preparing to elevate what matters to their constituents, as they get wooed by presidential aspirants. — Nicholas Wu, semafor.com, 16 Sep. 2026 At a candidate forum Monday, City Council members said their constituents continue to express concerns about new development, especially apartments. — Haley Parsley, Sacbee.com, 16 Sep. 2026
Adjective
Is constituent data consistent across programs? — Penta Rao Marapatla, Forbes.com, 25 June 2026 The coalition opposing the bill, which includes firms with a financial stake in the outcome, has published constituent letters making the human case against reform. — Joe Rubin, Sacbee.com, 28 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for constituent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for constituent
Noun
  • Following the coach’s firing in July 2023, more than 260 Northwestern faculty members signed a petition calling for the stadium plans to be halted until at least athletic department’s problems could be sorted out.
    — Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 25 Sep. 2026
  • Social and playful 694 faces Katmai Brady Bunch member 620, while two bears that overcame incredible odds, 610 and 89 (Backpack), vie for votes in the other first round fight.
    — Popular Science Team, Popular Science, 25 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • Believe it or not, the Cubivan Camping System wasn't the only multi-component camper pod system at this year's Caravan Salon built to slide out and camp outside the van itself.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 16 Sep. 2026
  • In a renowned 2006 review published in Educational Research Review, researchers traced how working memory evolved from a simple storage system into a more dynamic, multi-component process.
    — Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 27 May 2026
Noun
  • Chewing the drug produces a euphoric effect because of a psychoactive ingredient called arecoline, and millions of people are still betel users today.
    — Devika Rao, TheWeek, 21 Sep. 2026
  • Add the dressing and mix again, until all ingredients are well coated.
    — Candy Hom, AJC.com, 20 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • But Eliot also uses free indirect discourse, the technique in which an omniscient narrator adopts the perspective of an individual character, to inhabit Dorothea beyond her surface qualities.
    — Sanjena Sathian, Vulture, 22 Sep. 2026
  • In some analyses involving individual elements or combinations of rare earths, the odds ratios exceeded 3 or even 4.
    — Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 21 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • The team measured 13 rare earth elements, including cerium, ytterbium and lanthanum, and examined whether exposure was associated with birth outcomes.
    — Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 21 Sep. 2026
  • The film has all these crime-drama elements, and we’re caught up in that tension.
    — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 21 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • At the time, Mayor Christopher Clark said that the city was $164 million in debt due to a combination of factors, including a trail of expensive scandals left by predecessor Eric Kellogg, and chronically low tax collection rates.
    — A.D. Quig, Chicago Tribune, 20 Sep. 2026
  • Postmortem commentaries on the campaign agreed that many factors were at play in Sinclair’s loss — FDR had kept his distance and progressive candidate Raymond Haight siphoned off votes from Sinclair — but Hollywood proudly took credit.
    — Thomas Doherty, HollywoodReporter, 19 Sep. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Constituent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/constituent. Accessed 25 Sep. 2026.

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