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 Caughill called family members who were able to coordinate picking the couple up from the scene of the fire. Natalie Davies, Freep.com, 25 Oct. 2025 Fences help quell cemetery misadventures At night, things are generally quiet in the cemeteries, according to Helen Fisicaro, a Colma city council member and former mayor who has lived in town since the 1970s. Chris Kenning, USA Today, 25 Oct. 2025 The film made around $320 million globally on a tiny $14 million budget, and garnered six Oscar nominations — including for Best Picture and acting nods for cast members Close and Anne Archer. Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 25 Oct. 2025 Bianca Velasco, a member of the dance group, led the walk dressed as La Catrina, a skeletal figure tied to Day of the Dead. Alyssa N. Salcedo, jsonline.com, 25 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for member
Recent Examples of Synonyms for member
Noun
  • While the regulatory process for the nuclear components continues, construction on the non-nuclear portions of the site already began in June 2024.
    Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 25 Oct. 2025
  • Tens of thousands of components, built by different teams, have to function together perfectly.
    Dave Smith, Fortune, 25 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Thursday's season 7 debut included a teaser looking ahead toward future episodes, with a portion near the end including a shot of the 45-year-old All's Fair star getting an MRI before discussing an update on her health.
    Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 23 Oct. 2025
  • Most reserve commands only see their soldiers for two or three days per month, and a significant portion of part-time troops live far away from their units and commute hundreds of miles for their days in uniform.
    Davis Winkie, USA Today, 23 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Nobody Wants This is a tougher case because its leads, Kristen Bell and Adam Brody, are just so charming and many of its observations about love and family are just so spot-on that weaker elements can get lost in the froth.
    Judy Berman, Time, 23 Oct. 2025
  • There’s another element of the current concern regarding due process that relates to the fate of poor Cinna.
    JSTOR Daily, JSTOR Daily, 23 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • For their part, Max and Christian fight before docking and exchange some F-bombs on the bow just for good measure.
    Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 21 Oct. 2025
  • Some state leaders say the lot isn’t sufficient without state and federal entities doing their part.
    Grace Tucker, Cincinnati Enquirer, 21 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • If length is typically a determining factor when buying pants, the trousers are available in three inseam options to ensure shoppers of all heights can find the right fit.
    Rachel Trujillo, PEOPLE, 23 Oct. 2025
  • Aggregate score is not a factor.
    Avi Creditor, New York Times, 23 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Through the video’s comment section, Silva also discovered the Y2K fashion rule that the jeans went as a pair with thongs.
    Lydia Patrick, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Oct. 2025
  • By the end of the game, hundreds of shirtless brethren had joined in on the revelry, stretching across four sections and making headlines.
    Justin Williams, New York Times, 26 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • For example, your soup might include a couple of vegetables but lack ingredients that add bulk, flavor, and protein.
    Brian Mastroianni, Health, 22 Oct. 2025
  • This is further demonstrated by the concentration of Mānuka honey Aunu is using in conjunction with complementary ingredients.
    Emily Burns, Footwear News, 22 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Price and market positioning At $599, Dekoda sits firmly in the premium segment of consumer health technology.
    Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 20 Oct. 2025
  • During their 2012 interview, Guthrie awkwardly posed the question to Kardashian just as an audio cue to wrap the segment began to play.
    Emlyn Travis, Entertainment Weekly, 20 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Member.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/member. Accessed 27 Oct. 2025.

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