part 1 of 3

part

2 of 3

adverb

part

3 of 3

verb

1
as in to separate
to go or move in different directions from a central point after traveling together for three weeks, we parted at Rome

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2
3
4

Synonym Chooser

How is the word part distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of part are division, fragment, member, piece, portion, section, and segment. While all these words mean "something less than the whole," part is a general term appropriate when indefiniteness is required.

they ran only part of the way

In what contexts can division take the place of part?

The meanings of division and part largely overlap; however, division applies to a large or diversified part.

the manufacturing division of the company

When might fragment be a better fit than part?

The words fragment and part are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, fragment applies to a part produced by or as if by breaking off.

only a fragment of the play still exists

When could member be used to replace part?

While in some cases nearly identical to part, member suggests one of the functional units composing a body.

a structural member

When would piece be a good substitute for part?

Although the words piece and part have much in common, piece applies to a separate or detached part of a whole.

a puzzle with 500 pieces

Where would portion be a reasonable alternative to part?

The synonyms portion and part are sometimes interchangeable, but portion implies an assigned or allotted part.

cut the pie into six portions

When is section a more appropriate choice than part?

While the synonyms section and part are close in meaning, section applies to a relatively small or uniform part.

the entertainment section of the newspaper

When is it sensible to use segment instead of part?

In some situations, the words segment and part are roughly equivalent. 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 part
Noun
Vogue may earn a portion of sales from products that are purchased through our site as part of our Affiliate Partnerships with retailers. Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 20 Apr. 2025 Christ True Church and the Virginia Beach baptisms Small and family-oriented, Jesus Christ True Church, 2145 NW 50th St., is a nondenominational church that’s a part of the Apostolic faith, which means it’s rooted in Pentecostal beliefs. Lauren Costantino, Miami Herald, 20 Apr. 2025
Adverb
François Girard’s take — part mysterious, part mystifying — on Wagner’s last opera is one of the Met’s most interesting productions of the last decade or so, and returns for the first time since its premiere in 2013. David Allen, New York Times, 1 Feb. 2018
Verb
Jenner wore her dark locks parted in the middle and tucked behind her ears, except for one strand that curled on her forehead. Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 25 Mar. 2025 That's when glorious God gave Moses the power to part the water by raising his arm. Holly Rizzuto Palker, Parents, 27 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for part
Recent Examples of Synonyms for part
Noun
  • Vogue may earn a portion of sales from products that are purchased through our site as part of our Affiliate Partnerships with retailers.
    Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 26 Apr. 2025
  • Winter weather advisories have been issued for portions of central California and the Greater Lake Tahoe area by the National Weather Service (NWS).
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Revamp Your Mudroom Giving your mudroom a bit of love before the summer is never a bad idea, Kersh shares.
    Sarah Lyon, Southern Living, 27 Apr. 2025
  • All 20 clubs earn an equal share of £86.9million ($115.8m) through domestic and international broadcasting rights and a further £8.2m via commercial income.
    Andy Jones, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Coach Scott Arniel likes to refer to him as a Swiss Army knife for his ability to play any role that the coaches ask of him.
    Jeremy Rutherford, New York Times, 20 Apr. 2025
  • Canha is expected to hold a key role in the lineup.
    Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 19 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Hundreds of square miles of open land along Highway 101 and Interstate 5 remain undeveloped.
    Edward Ring, Oc Register, 22 Apr. 2025
  • Last week, the Department of the Interior announced that land would be transferred to the Army, allowing the military would of federal land to support Border Patrol for a period of three years.
    Billal Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Apr. 2025
Adverb
  • In fact, the Slate is about halfway between the tiny 1972 Datsun 620 and today’s Ford Maverick in terms of size and wheelbase.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 25 Apr. 2025
  • Forest Fires Common in Pine Barrens Forest fires are a common occurrence in the Pine Barrens, a 1.1 million-acre (445,000-hectare) state and federally protected reserve about the size of the Grand Canyon lying halfway between Philadelphia to the west and the Atlantic coast to the east.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Start setting up your financial system by separating your personal and business finances.
    Alejandra Rojas, Forbes.com, 29 Apr. 2025
  • Rojas had been separated from his wife for about a year.
    Rocco Parascandola, New York Daily News, 28 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Trump’s looming tariffs announced at the start of this month, as well as the high tariff rates imposed on China in recent weeks, have caused many to question whether the administration is moving too quickly.
    Callie Patteson, The Washington Examiner, 27 Apr. 2025
  • Some of those are moving along very well, especially the – with the Asian countries.
    ABC News, ABC News, 27 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • The city is divided along sectarian lines: The south is home mostly to Sunni Muslims, while the northern neighborhoods are mostly Alawite.
    Christina Goldbaum, New York Times, 20 Apr. 2025
  • Passengers are divided on the appropriateness of removing shoes during flights, citing comfort versus hygiene and safety.
    Christopher Elliott, USA Today, 19 Apr. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Part.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/part. Accessed 2 May. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on part

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!