piece 1 of 2

Definition of piecenext
1
2
as in composition
a literary, musical, or artistic production presented a new interpretation of the piece by Mozart

Synonyms & Similar Words

3
4
as in portion
something belonging to, due to, or contributed by an individual member of a group believes his piece of the profits should be higher

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

piece

2 of 2

verb

Synonym Chooser

How is the word piece distinct from other similar nouns?

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

a puzzle with 500 pieces

When is division a more appropriate choice than piece?

While in some cases nearly identical to piece, division applies to a large or diversified part.

the manufacturing division of the company

When can fragment be used instead of piece?

While the synonyms fragment and piece are close in meaning, fragment applies to a part produced by or as if by breaking off.

only a fragment of the play still exists

Where would member be a reasonable alternative to piece?

In some situations, the words member and piece are roughly equivalent. However, member suggests one of the functional units composing a body.

a structural member

When might part be a better fit than piece?

The words part and piece can be used in similar contexts, but part is a general term appropriate when indefiniteness is required.

they ran only part of the way

When would portion be a good substitute for piece?

Although the words portion and piece have much in common, portion implies an assigned or allotted part.

cut the pie into six portions

When could section be used to replace piece?

The meanings of section and piece largely overlap; however, section applies to a relatively small or uniform part.

the entertainment section of the newspaper

In what contexts can segment take the place of piece?

The words segment and piece are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, segment applies to a part separated or marked out by or as if by natural lines of cleavage.

the retired segment of the population

How is the word piece distinct from other similar nouns?

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

a puzzle with 500 pieces

When is division a more appropriate choice than piece?

While in some cases nearly identical to piece, division applies to a large or diversified part.

the manufacturing division of the company

When can fragment be used instead of piece?

While the synonyms fragment and piece are close in meaning, fragment applies to a part produced by or as if by breaking off.

only a fragment of the play still exists

Where would member be a reasonable alternative to piece?

In some situations, the words member and piece are roughly equivalent. However, member suggests one of the functional units composing a body.

a structural member

When might part be a better fit than piece?

The words part and piece can be used in similar contexts, but part is a general term appropriate when indefiniteness is required.

they ran only part of the way

When would portion be a good substitute for piece?

Although the words portion and piece have much in common, portion implies an assigned or allotted part.

cut the pie into six portions

When could section be used to replace piece?

The meanings of section and piece largely overlap; however, section applies to a relatively small or uniform part.

the entertainment section of the newspaper

In what contexts can segment take the place of piece?

The words segment and piece are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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 piece
Noun
But the key piece is the Apple@50 exhibit, which displays prototypes of the Lisa, Apple IIc, Macintosh, iPod, iPhone and even the Newton. Sal Pizarro, Mercury News, 14 Mar. 2026 While there are plenty of unknowns on the defensive line heading into the 2026 season, Harbin believes the team has all the pieces to maintain elite standards. Dylan Heinrich, Kansas City Star, 14 Mar. 2026
Verb
According to his mother, Anthony at one point had been piecing things together and was volunteering in the community. Tim Fang, CBS News, 26 Feb. 2026 Really, since Jamaal Charles’ ACL tear in 2015, the Chiefs have largely pieced the position together with value finds. Pete Sweeney, Kansas City Star, 26 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for piece
Recent Examples of Synonyms for piece
Noun
  • About two and a half miles off the coast, a scattering of amphorae in shallow waters served as a trail for archaeologists, leading them to cargo fragments, ship fittings, and ultimately, the wreckage.
    Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 14 Mar. 2026
  • This is nothing if not a film of fragments, alternately raucous and off-target.
    Guy Lodge, Variety, 14 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Sher responded to Buckley and Bale’s gestures and movements in both the lighting and compositions.
    Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 13 Mar. 2026
  • The suppurating contempt Sheridan feels for the Big Apple oozes its way through much of the series, its condescending pus infecting stunning vistas, swelling musical compositions and at least one award-worthy performance, courtesy of Michelle Pfeiffer.
    Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 13 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • The man who shot the gun is being booked for possession of a firearm by an ineligible person.
    Kristi Miller, Twin Cities, 16 Mar. 2026
  • Debates have already begun on some of the most prominent bills, on issues like immigration, data centers, firearm regulations and tax policy.
    Nick Coltrain, Denver Post, 15 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • The pool portion of the project would have an eight-lane, 25-yard lap pool, a warm water therapy pool and an activity pool with a water slide, play features and additional lap lanes.
    Carolyn Stein, Chicago Tribune, 18 Mar. 2026
  • Order the prosciutto cotto eggs Benedict (the English muffin recipe handed down from Petty’s mom) and the cast-iron corn pancake served with a generous portion of butter and berry preserves.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Why Austin street names reflect the city’s history What Austin's street map reflects, more than anything, is how the city was built — in layers, by different hands, across different eras.
    Dante Motley, Austin American Statesman, 20 Mar. 2026
  • Yes, the robots are half built—but my son’s interests have advanced.
    Joshua Rothman, New Yorker, 20 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • With a swell of applause and a burst of smoke and explosions, Fuerza closed out the night — an apt ending for a band that isn’t afraid to break the rules a little bit.
    Julyssa Lopez, Rolling Stone, 14 Mar. 2026
  • For scuff marks or sticky buildup, Stein likes to use a slightly stronger vinegar solution or a damp cloth with a tiny bit of dish soap.
    Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 14 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Dark, sexy, thrillingly complicated—across the last 60 years, Charlotte Rampling’s oeuvre has been unparalleled, and now, at the age of 80, the Oscar nominee is still hard at work.
    Radhika Seth, Vogue, 20 Mar. 2026
  • By night, this nifty work area transforms into Spotted Stone, the hotel’s plush cocktail bar lounge.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • The release did not state how many times Duit fired his gun.
    Forum News Service, Twin Cities, 19 Mar. 2026
  • This sentence provides his victim with justice and makes clear that gun violence leads to serious consequences.
    DeJanay Booth-Singleton, CBS News, 18 Mar. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Piece.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/piece. Accessed 21 Mar. 2026.

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