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

Relevance
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 Comcast its elevating Steve Croney to CEO of its core Connectivity & Platforms division, succeeding Dave Watson, effective January 1. Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 30 Oct. 2025 The company posted relatively small gains in the second quarter but stronger ones for the half year that ended June 30, with its publishing division seeing 11%-plus year-over-year gains in both categories. Jem Aswad, Variety, 30 Oct. 2025 With the transaction completed, Coats is also shifting it three-division organizational structure. Vicki M. Young, Footwear News, 30 Oct. 2025 On Thursday, Comcast announced Steve Croney would take over as CEO of the connectivity and platforms division, succeeding longtime leader Dave Watson. Lillian Rizzo, CNBC, 30 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for division
Recent Examples of Synonyms for division
Noun
  • Everything from false walls and room dividers, bathroom shower enclosures, staircases and entrances, and even outdoors in patios and poolscapes.
    Lauren Bengtson, Better Homes & Gardens, 24 Oct. 2025
  • Inside, there’s a mesh divider pocket to keep things tidy and the zippered closure keeps everything secure.
    Nora Colomer may earn a commission if you buy through our referral links. This content was created by a team that works independently from the Fox newsroom., FOXNews.com, 24 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • On the Tibetan side of Everest, ticket sales had been suspended since Tuesday afternoon as roads turned icy and visibility plunged, creating impassable conditions for vehicular traffic, according to the tourism department of Tingri county.
    Reuters, CNN Money, 29 Oct. 2025
  • Many of the usual staff and departments who have directed Caribbean aid in the past have been laid off.
    Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 29 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Before making landfall on Tuesday, Melissa reached Category 5 status, the highest category on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale.
    Abigail Adams, PEOPLE, 29 Oct. 2025
  • Every year, France is behind so many movies submitted for the international feature film category at the Oscars.
    Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 28 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • In an interview with Genlux magazine (via Page Six), Mason spoke openly about how her parents' split affected her.
    Katie Mannion, PEOPLE, 28 Oct. 2025
  • The Biebers have been the subject of rampant tabloid split rumors, especially over the last year.
    Taijuan Moorman, USA Today, 28 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • In another wrinkle to the current Disney/Google standoff, Justin Connolly, Disney’s former head of distribution, joined YouTube as VP of global head of media this spring.
    Todd Spangler, Variety, 31 Oct. 2025
  • The popular distribution executive was a mainstay at international markets and will be sorely missed.
    Max Goldbart, Deadline, 31 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • And then, playing cleverly on their natural discord, River and Shirley argue their way through a standoff with Farouk just long enough for Coe to take advantage of the distraction and plunge a blade in Farouk’s neck.
    Scott Tobias, Vulture, 29 Oct. 2025
  • China, for its part, has also stoked the flames of discord in recent weeks, first by announcing new global export controls on rare earth minerals, key components in technologies and weaponry.
    Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 23 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Prine’s legacy at Stella’s is remembered with a colorful mural painted on a large fence at the back of the restaurant’s courtyard.
    Ken Perrotte, USA Today, 31 Oct. 2025
  • One of the coaches was driving when the van left the road, broke through a fence and landed into a canal, Serbian outlets Večernje novosti and Danas reported.
    Sam Gillette, PEOPLE, 29 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Cantrell said the sheriff's office has never been contacted by any federal agencies questioning the spending.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 3 Nov. 2025
  • While the expansion has led to more arrests, especially in Florida, many local agencies are reluctant to participate.
    Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 3 Nov. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Division.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/division. Accessed 5 Nov. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on division

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!