1
as in divider
something that divides, separates, or marks off we poked our heads over the division between the yards to see what the fuss was about

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in department
a large unit of a governmental, business, or educational organization the complaints division handled all of the calls from the angry townsfolk

Synonyms & Similar Words

3
4
5
as in distribution
the act or process of giving out something to each member of a group the person in charge of the division of the profits among the business partners

Synonyms & Similar Words

6

Synonym Chooser

How is the word division distinct from other similar nouns?

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

the manufacturing division of the company

When would fragment be a good substitute for division?

While in some cases nearly identical to division, fragment applies to a part produced by or as if by breaking off.

only a fragment of the play still exists

When can member be used instead of division?

While the synonyms member and division are close in meaning, member suggests one of the functional units composing a body.

a structural member

Where would part be a reasonable alternative to division?

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

they ran only part of the way

In what contexts can piece take the place of division?

In some situations, the words piece and division are roughly equivalent. However, piece applies to a separate or detached part of a whole.

a puzzle with 500 pieces

When is portion a more appropriate choice than division?

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

cut the pie into six portions

When could section be used to replace division?

The synonyms section and division are sometimes interchangeable, but section applies to a relatively small or uniform part.

the entertainment section of the newspaper

When is it sensible to use segment instead of division?

The words segment and division 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 division Used by arrangement with Grand Central Publishing, a division of Hachette Book Group. Natalie Diaz september 11, Literary Hub, 11 Sep. 2025 In July 2023, Inoue moved up to junior featherweight, claiming the WBC and WBO belts in his first fight in his new weight division. Trent Reinsmith, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025 And then your teammates feel a certain way, that causes division in the locker room. Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 11 Sep. 2025 There are now concerns that this latest instance of political violence—the killing of Kirk—could serve as a catalyst for further division and radicalization. Callum Sutherland, Time, 11 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for division
Recent Examples of Synonyms for division
Noun
  • Instead of wall dividers covered with Southern-style wall decor, bookcases held a handful of items, highlighting the more open feel.
    Melina Khan, USA Today, 9 Sep. 2025
  • An in-person visit with the singer was leaked on social media in January 2024 where the pair shared an intimate moment through a plastic divider.
    DeMicia Inman, VIBE.com, 8 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • The sound department actually played the music that would overlay the scene as Dockery acted.
    Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 11 Sep. 2025
  • This program comes at a critical time for the automotive industry, as employers increasingly need to develop worker skills and standardize AI usage across departments.
    Malana VanTyler, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • That's the beauty — and the challenge — of the category.
    Jackie Fields, PEOPLE, 9 Sep. 2025
  • Two neighbors are likely experiencing much wider differences in inflation than the differences when looking at categories like age or race.
    Susan Tompor, USA Today, 9 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Using an outstanding split-finger changeup in a four-pitch mix, the right-hander has certainly worked his way into the New York Mets’ future pitching plans.
    Chuck Murr, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
  • Managing a post-civil war Syria In Syria, years of civil war that had exacerbated splits among ethnic and religious groups finally ended in December 2024.
    David Mednicoff, The Conversation, 9 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Alvarez is boxing’s biggest pay-per-view star, but his fight versus Crawford will eschew the PPV distribution format that can carry an $80 price tag for big bouts.
    Kurt Badenhausen, Sportico.com, 12 Sep. 2025
  • Seismic is managing domestic theatrical distribution, and P&A financing is being provided by SeaFilm Entertainment.
    Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 12 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Kirk was one of the slate of Republicans who called for more transparency around the Jeffrey Epstein files in a rare moment of discord within the party.
    Kinsey Crowley, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2025
  • However, the pair have had a history of discord.
    Erica Marrison, PEOPLE, 9 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Zambia strips away the noise — the crowds, the fences, the Wi-Fi — until you’re left with the raw pulse of life.
    Daniel Scheffler, Forbes.com, 12 Sep. 2025
  • The properties were separated from the university by a fence.
    David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 12 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Nor does the executive order bar any federal agency from continuing to offer its services, websites, and materials in Spanish, Mandarin, Arabic, or hundreds of other languages spoken across the country.
    Doug Melville, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
  • The partial closure order was coordinated with the Fresno County Sheriff's Office, along with multiple local, state, and federal agency cooperators, to identify the minimum area necessary for the safety of firefighting resources and forest visitors.
    CA WILDFIRE BOT, Sacbee.com, 14 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Division.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/division. Accessed 15 Sep. 2025.

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