half 1 of 3

noun

ˈhaf How to pronounce half (audio)
Definition of halfnext
1
as in part
one of two equal or nearly equal parts to be fair, we should each get half the pie

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2
as in match
either of a pair matched in one or more qualities it's the bottom half of the ninth inning, and the Yankees are up at bat

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half

2 of 3

adjective

as in incomplete
lacking some necessary part half measures that did nothing but prolong the problem

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half

3 of 3

adverb

1
as in ever
in any way or respect this cut on your arm isn't half as bad as it looks

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2
as in halfway
in some measure or degree what you said is only half true

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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 half
Noun
The Seahawks pulled away as the second half wore on, scoring three unanswered touchdowns and tearing through the heart of the Chargers’ defense, sometimes scarcely touched. — Los Angeles Times, 5 Oct. 2026 That figure is the first half of the show’s title, the activist, author, and playwright Larry Kramer, who co-founded Gay Men’s Health Crisis and ACT UP and was instrumental in bringing the AIDS crisis to public attention. — Sara Holdren, Vulture, 5 Oct. 2026
Adjective
Near La Guajira’s border with Venezuela, the only police station for miles is a one-story, half-finished building in Castilletes, a few hundred meters from the frontier. — Nathan Jaccard, Miami Herald, 5 Oct. 2026 But half-vampires will not burn, but the healing factor will not work. — William Earl, Variety, 4 Oct. 2026
Adverb
This kind of conversation always leaves me half-amused, half-terrified. — Alicja Turczyk, The Dial, 29 Sep. 2026 In addition, 59% reported an impact on their mental well-being, and more than half experienced repeat scams. — Angela Ramos, The Conversation, 29 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for half
Recent Examples of Synonyms for half
  1. part
  2. match
  3. incomplete
  4. ever
  5. halfway
  6. section
  7. equivalent
  8. partial
Noun
  • As of now, Bryan is still scheduled to return to Gillette stadium on Saturday evening as part of his sold-out With Heaven On Tour.
    — Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 3 Oct. 2026
  • The alerts have become an increasingly familiar part of life near the border.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of part
Noun
  • While the championship match was the main event, Saturday’s semifinal had a ton of intrigue for Southland girls volleyball fans.
    — Jeff Vorva, Chicago Tribune, 4 Oct. 2026
  • Isom obtained an arrest warrant based on the DNA match and additional evidence linking Ross to Davis and the scene.
    — Shambhavi Rimal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 Oct. 2026
Definition of match
Adjective
  • This may be true, but there is also the chance that the result is based on incomplete data, and the finding is much less definitive than the AI may suggest.
    — Euan Ashley, STAT, 1 Oct. 2026
  • But, as the state investigator would later testify, the file was incomplete.
    — Joseph Shapiro, NPR, 30 Sep. 2026
Definition of incomplete
Adverb
  • And if the situation ever reached the point where civilians actually took up arms, Canadian military literature has that covered, too.
    — Rachel Marsden, Hartford Courant, 2 Oct. 2026
  • But with more skin-care options than ever—from niche and luxury brands to medical-grade formulas—do drugstore staples still hold up?
    — Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of ever
Adverb
  • Earlier test flights ventured no farther than the Indian Ocean halfway around the world, often crashing in flames and briefly skimming space.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 29 Sep. 2026
  • The earlier test flights ventured no farther than the Indian Ocean halfway around the world, often crashing in flames and briefly skimming space.
    — Marcia Dunn, Los Angeles Times, 28 Sep. 2026
Definition of halfway
Noun
  • Walking through it, which the work impels one to do, shows that the six sections of Shift afford a sequence of passages down into and across the terrain.
    — Jeffrey Weiss, Artforum, 1 Oct. 2026
  • Scientists can now examine sections of DNA that were once inaccessible and detect forms of genetic variation that older methods may have missed.
    — Euan Ashley, STAT, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of section
Noun
  • Set in a garden near the Bahnhofstrasse shopping drag (Zurich's equivalent of Fifth Avenue), the hotel looks right onto Lake Zurich and the Alps—but that's not the only nice view.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Cuts to pensions or benefits of China’s own state employees in the coming years might produce a modern equivalent.
    — Carl Minzner, Foreign Affairs, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of equivalent
Adjective
  • The partial Canadian ban on US booze has been painful for the American industry.
    — Elisabeth Buchwald, CNN Money, 29 Sep. 2026
  • The opening performance, a partial recreation of the Confessions II short film, also featured cameos from Madonna’s longtime friend Debi Mazar, actress Julia Garner, Sombr, Andrew Watt, Seth Rogen and more.
    — Catherine Santino, PEOPLE, 28 Sep. 2026
Definition of partial

Phrases Containing half

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hales
half
half-and-half
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Cite this Entry

“Half.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/half. Accessed 6 Oct. 2026.

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