factor

noun

ˈfak-tər How to pronounce factor (audio)
Definition of factornext
1
as in delegate
a person who acts or does business for another at the auction the high bidder for the painting was actually a factor for a wealthy art collector

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in component
one of the parts that make up a whole price was only one factor in my decision to buy the car

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 factor Although there are still some things the hotel has to figure out in adapting the Awasi model to their longstanding offerings, investments in the new wellness area, as well as new boats equipped with freshwater showers, enhance the luxury factor. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Aug. 2026 Several factors, including rising prices and security concerns, have rekindled Icelandic interest in joining the bloc of 27 nations. — Beatriz Ríos, Washington Post, 28 Aug. 2026 Economic, cultural and environmental factors have reduced the variety of vegetables available to consumers. — Devika Rao, TheWeek, 28 Aug. 2026 Below, pros speak to three factors that make this furniture piece stand out from others. — Sarah Lyon, Southern Living, 28 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for factor
Recent Examples of Synonyms for factor
  1. delegate
  2. component
  3. agent
  4. element
  5. representative
  6. ingredient
  7. deputy
  8. member
Noun
  • This came before Nataraja played delegates the trailer of The Great British Bake Off‘s seventeenth season, which is due to launch in coming weeks.
    — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 27 Aug. 2026
  • But the process falls apart when a company has to scale up, delegate, or is mostly remote.
    — K.H. Koehler, USA Today, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of delegate
Noun
  • Along with zero and negative interest rates, YCC was a component of an attempt at monetary easing by the BOJ under Governor Kuroda.
    — Steve H. Hanke, Fortune, 24 Aug. 2026
  • Ordering components early could help Kratos avoid supply bottlenecks as production demand grows.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of component
Noun
  • Rogue OpenAI agents’ unprecedented coordination during the Hugging Face attack significantly increases the risk of AI escaping human control, analysts said, days after investigators released a bombshell report into the incident.
    — Brendan Ruberry, semafor.com, 30 Aug. 2026
  • This was followed by the creation of the Special Operations Executive (SOE) on July 22 to handle espionage and resistance agents, and the first raids were already being carried out.
    — David Szondy August 30, New Atlas, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of agent
Noun
  • Play was suspended on the outside courts, but the roofs could close on Armstrong and Ashe, protecting Bublik and Wolf, and Novak Djokovic and Mariano Navone, from the elements.
    — Rebecca Tauber, New York Times, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Now, one element of great balance is there’s not a ton of headliners, stars.
    — Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of element
Noun
  • Hutton said Calumet College regularly sends representatives to the school to monitor it, including its governance system and academic programs.
    — Carole Carlson, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Fifty-one contestants — one representative from each of the 50 states, plus the District of Columbia — vied for the crown.
    — Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of representative
Noun
  • Another left oil and gas to turn food waste into ingredients.
    — Lisa Curtis, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Activscience Neck-Firming Cream The lotion is rich in anti-aging ingredients, such as collagen to add plumpness and hyaluronic acid to boost hydration and radiance.
    — Clara McMahon, PEOPLE, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of ingredient
Noun
  • Prince was able to free the ATV and accelerated toward the deputy, striking him and knocking him to the ground.
    — Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Hubble and Webb both have coronagraphs, but Roman’s experimental instrument is 100 to 1,000 times better than any built before, said Bertrand Mennesson, Roman deputy project scientist at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California.
    — Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of deputy
Noun
  • Iceland is also a member of the Schengen Area, which allows passport-free travel between it and other participating European countries.
    — Sam Meredith, CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Hammack voted to raise rates at the Fed’s last meeting in July, but she was outvoted by fellow members of the Federal Open Market Committee who wanted to keep them steady.
    — Brian Cheung, NBC news, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of member

Phrases Containing factor

Browse Nearby Words

factoids
factor
factored (in or into)
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Cite this Entry

“Factor.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/factor. Accessed 31 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on factor

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about factor

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