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 Additionally, members of the JFL creative development and festival programming teams were involved in the selection process. Matt Grobar, Deadline, 7 Aug. 2025 Though the feature is opt-in only and just viewable by select users, the feature has sparked concern from advocacy groups and members of Congress. Conor Murray, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2025 The film features returning cast members like Julie Bowen, Christopher McDonald and Ben Stiller. Thania Garcia, Variety, 14 July 2025 Hamm, who like Ellis Maples is a member of the Carolina Golf Hall of Fame, opened the first course in 1968, a layout that hosted the ACC men’s golf championship in 1970, 1973, and 1975. Erik Matuszewski, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for member
Recent Examples of Synonyms for member
Noun
  • Be careful to navigate around these components and move slowly when cutting anything with a mix of hard and soft textures, Rade Vukmir, MD, professor of clinical emergency medicine at Drexel University College of Medicine, tells SELF.
    Erica Sloan, SELF, 5 Aug. 2025
  • To get the full credit, at least 50% of the battery’s components must be produced or assembled in North America.
    Melanie Marshall, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • The blank portions are designed to ensure officers read through the drafts to correct potential errors or add missing information.
    Clare Duffy, CNN Money, 12 Aug. 2025
  • The River Park hopes to break ground by the end of the year on the Osuna segment at the east end of the Surf Park—the new one-mile trail portion will include a 150-foot-long steel truss bridge across the San Dieguito River.
    Karen Billing, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Creating Demi was not as simple as halving each element.
    Andrew Watman, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2025
  • On the other hand, cooking methods like baking, boiling, and mashing don’t usually add these elements.
    Sarah Garone, Health, 8 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • This technique is ideal for projects with many moving parts or decisions that require clear reasoning.
    Caroline Castrillon, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2025
  • Brock Media joins a group of topnotch U.K. producers that are part of Studiocanal.
    Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 6 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • All these factors combined pointed to one likely explanation.
    Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 14 Aug. 2025
  • Even though Singapore's inflation has recently cooled to a four-year low, the country still has one of the highest costs of living, according to multiple surveys, due to structural factors like expensive housing and import costs.
    Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 14 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Sheriff’s deputies responded just before 10 p.m. Wednesday to a ShotSpotter alert activation near 42nd Street and Apostolo Circle in the Lemon Hill section of south Sacramento where the 14-year-old boy had been shot in the face, authorities said.
    Jake Goodrick, Sacbee.com, 14 Aug. 2025
  • The bacteria was in water in a small section of the city water system near Monroe Fire Department Station 4 at 3907 Old Charlotte Highway, the city news release said.
    Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 14 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • The tonic, which is also available in capsule form, is sold at many gas stations and retailers across the U.S. Its ingredients include kava extract, which the company says promotes relaxation and lifts mood, and kratom leaf, which is said to enhance energy and focus.
    Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 7 Aug. 2025
  • With just a few ingredients, this casserole comes together easily.
    Jenna Sims, Southern Living, 7 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • The Trump administration has faced weeks of furor from some segments of the president’s political base, which have demanded public disclosure of files related to Epstein.
    Jake Offenhartz, Chicago Tribune, 7 Aug. 2025
  • The Game & Network Services segment also showed strong momentum, with sales rising 8% to $6.34 billion and operating income more than doubling to $1 billion.
    Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 7 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Member.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/member. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.

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