portion 1 of 2

portion

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verb

Synonym Chooser

How is the word portion distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of portion are destiny, doom, fate, and lot. While all these words mean "a predetermined state or end," portion implies the apportioning of good and evil.

remorse was his daily portion

When might destiny be a better fit than portion?

The synonyms destiny and portion are sometimes interchangeable, but destiny implies something foreordained and often suggests a great or noble course or end.

the country's destiny to be a model of liberty to the world

In what contexts can doom take the place of portion?

Although the words doom and portion have much in common, doom distinctly implies a grim or calamitous fate.

if the rebellion fails, his doom is certain

When could fate be used to replace portion?

The meanings of fate and portion largely overlap; however, fate implies an inevitable and usually an adverse outcome.

the fate of the submarine is unknown

How are the words lot and portion related?

Both lot and portion imply a distribution by fate or destiny, lot suggesting blind chance.

it was her lot to die childless

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 portion
Noun
One of Blumenthal’s letters was addressed to Bill Zanker, the entrepreneur behind Fight Fight Fight, which controls a large portion of the $TRUMP token supply. Mackenzie Sigalos, CNBC, 7 May 2025 This summer, the office will order the employers of borrowers to withhold a portion of the employee’s income to pay off the loans. Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 7 May 2025
Verb
Dip the knife or bench scaper in flour before portioning the scones for clean slices. Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 13 Mar. 2025 Even generously portioned into two sets with an intermission, their 23-song show almost seemed over too fast, but that’s a testament generally to their clock-stopping spell. Chris Willman, Variety, 12 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for portion
Recent Examples of Synonyms for portion
Noun
  • On May 25, 2010, Leake made his fateful first trip to the country whose music scene would prove his destiny and his possible ruin.
    David Browne, Rolling Stone, 26 Apr. 2025
  • Independent Now Alongside her growing institutional recognition, Aya Nakamura has taken full control of her professional destiny.
    Billboard France, Billboard, 23 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • In March, Howell issued a temporary restraining order blocking the Trump administration from implementing key parts of the executive order.
    Alexander Mallin, ABC News, 3 May 2025
  • The Environmental Protection Agency announced plans on May 2 to slash its budget by $300 million in fiscal year 2026, reduce staffing to 1980s levels and dissolve its research and development office as part of a sweeping overhaul of the agency.
    Valerie Volcovici, USA Today, 3 May 2025
Noun
  • Its net loss per share was $1.56, more than triple the $0.42 that analysts expected, according to Yahoo Finance.
    Kevin Ryan, Quartz, 9 May 2025
  • Earnings per share came in at 54 cents, missing analyst expectations.
    Caitlin Huston, HollywoodReporter, 9 May 2025
Verb
  • Wright partnered with Arthur L. Richards, who manufactured and distributed the homes, though they were only offered commercially for 14 months.
    Katherine McLaughlin, Architectural Digest, 8 May 2025
  • Daniel was shortlisted for the 2021 AT&T Untold Stories Competition and produced the award-winning short doc Ale Libre distributed by The New Yorker.
    Matt Grobar, Deadline, 8 May 2025
Noun
  • But in a twist of fate, his estranged grandfather, the notorious outlaw Harland Rust (Baldwin), breaks him out of jail, and the two flee to Mexico.
    Jessica Wang, EW.com, 1 May 2025
  • Perhaps his fate will be dictated by who United are able to bring in.
    Beren Cross, New York Times, 1 May 2025
Noun
  • 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
  • For the fourth main section of practice, the Chargers also installed plays and schemes.
    Daniel Popper, New York Times, 10 May 2025
Noun
  • People from India and China represent the largest proportion of international students, accounting for about half of the overall enrollment, according to federal officials.
    Jennifer Borresen, USA Today, 4 May 2025
  • At the same time, resistant behaviors accounted for almost 36 percent of the time spent in encounters; after training, that proportion fell to about 20 percent.
    Paula Span, New York Times, 3 May 2025
Verb
  • That unit dispenses prescriptions in CVS’ more than 9,000 retail pharmacies and provides other pharmacy services, such as vaccinations and diagnostic testing.
    Annika Kim Constantino, CNBC, 1 May 2025
  • The ham sandwiches, pudding skins, tuna crackers, and, yes, fried bologna were dispensed with a smile and the deep satisfaction of a parent making a child happy.
    Robert Klose, Christian Science Monitor, 1 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Portion.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/portion. Accessed 13 May. 2025.

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