Synonym Chooser

How is the word member distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of member are division, fragment, part, piece, portion, section, and segment. While all these words mean "something less than the whole," member suggests one of the functional units composing a body.

a structural member

In what contexts can division take the place of member?

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

the manufacturing division of the company

When is fragment a more appropriate choice than member?

Although the words fragment and member have much in common, fragment applies to a part produced by or as if by breaking off.

only a fragment of the play still exists

When is it sensible to use part instead of member?

The words part and member are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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 member?

While the synonyms piece and member are close in meaning, piece applies to a separate or detached part of a whole.

a puzzle with 500 pieces

Where would portion be a reasonable alternative to member?

In some situations, the words portion and member are roughly equivalent. However, portion implies an assigned or allotted part.

cut the pie into six portions

When can section be used instead of member?

The words section and member can be used in similar contexts, but section applies to a relatively small or uniform part.

the entertainment section of the newspaper

When might segment be a better fit than member?

The meanings of segment and member largely overlap; 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 member Harvard’s online library notes that the document was bought $27.50 in 1946 and had previously been sold by a member of the Royal Air Force (RAF) to the London book dealers Sweet & Maxwell for £42. Tessa Solomon For Artnews, Robb Report, 16 May 2025 His Department of Homeland Security acknowledged as much just days after his order by requesting 20,000 National Guard members to help with the immigration crackdown. Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 May 2025 What allows this program to shine is its faculty members who foster each of the dozens of students within the Fashion Design Program. Cassell Ferere, Forbes.com, 4 May 2025 In the wake of the murder, each member of the family retreated into their own private grief. Erin Moriarty, Liza Finley, CBS News, 4 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for member
Recent Examples of Synonyms for member
Noun
  • Stack Unit Economics Today's robotics startups leverage off-the-shelf components, cloud computing and AI to bring solutions to market in months instead of years.
    Aditya Ranjan, Forbes.com, 14 May 2025
  • Having a visual component to the traditional audio content opens up more advertising opportunities, too.
    Lillian Rizzo, CNBC, 14 May 2025
Noun
  • The biggest portion of those cuts would be a reduction in K-12 funding by more than $4.5 billion.
    Ayana Archie, NPR, 8 May 2025
  • These include a change to the portion of state Medicaid costs borne by the federal government, which is currently at 90% for states that elected to expand their eligible Medicaid population.
    Joshua P. Cohen, Forbes.com, 8 May 2025
Noun
  • The common element is that a single federal judge in one of 94 regional districts paused a policy for the entire country while the case is being litigated.
    Bart Jansen, USA Today, 18 May 2025
  • Meanwhile, a personal tragedy shakes Colin into consciousness, the only element that manages to pierce Ray’s exterior long enough to let his sub in.
    Glenn Garner, Deadline, 18 May 2025
Noun
  • One of those places was a little diner called The Waffle Hut, which had been part of our town for several decades.
    Gwen Rockwood, Arkansas Online, 15 May 2025
  • One thing for certain, Trusty said, is that the fancy cars, houses and planes that Combs has accumulated are in the prosecutors’ crosshairs, as are any of his companies that could broadly be construed as being part of the racketeering enterprise in the slightest of ways.
    Josh Meyer, USA Today, 15 May 2025
Noun
  • According to police, speed and driving under the influence were determined to not be factors in the collision.
    City News Service, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 May 2025
  • The researchers suggested a biological basis (underlying physical, neurological, or genetic factors) for any association.
    Lana Barhum, Verywell Health, 10 May 2025
Noun
  • Fans gushed over the sweet image and clip in the comment section of the Instagram post.
    Ingrid Vasquez, People.com, 10 May 2025
  • Seven whiskeys are finalists in the Single-Barrel Bourbon section of the 2025 San Francisco World Spirits Competition.
    Joseph V Micallef, Forbes.com, 10 May 2025
Noun
  • Hershey’s Milk Chocolate bars have been a key ingredient for Southern s’more makers since the beginning.
    Melissa Locker, Southern Living, 15 May 2025
  • Nearly every dish at Uma Roma, an innovative new restaurant, is dedicated to a single ingredient.
    Seth Sherwood, New York Times, 15 May 2025
Noun
  • The fact that the team had only participated in 12 races prior to 2010 highlights how, in this F1 era and within a relatively compressed segment of the world championship’s 75-year history, only Mercedes and Red Bull have attained true superteam status.
    Alex Kalinauckas, New York Times, 17 May 2025
  • Sales nevertheless declined within the company's specialist watchmakers segment, which features brands Piaget and Roger Dubuis, led by weakness in the Asia-Pacific region.
    Karen Gilchrist, CNBC, 16 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Member.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/member. Accessed 23 May. 2025.

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