Definition of membernext

Synonym Chooser

How is the word member distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of member are division, fragment, part, piece, portion, section, and segment. While all these words mean "something less than the whole," member suggests one of the functional units composing a body.

a structural member

In what contexts can division take the place of member?

While in some cases nearly identical to member, division applies to a large or diversified part.

the manufacturing division of the company

When is fragment a more appropriate choice than member?

Although the words fragment and member have much in common, fragment applies to a part produced by or as if by breaking off.

only a fragment of the play still exists

When is it sensible to use part instead of member?

The words part and member are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, part is a general term appropriate when indefiniteness is required.

they ran only part of the way

When would piece be a good substitute for member?

While the synonyms piece and member are close in meaning, piece applies to a separate or detached part of a whole.

a puzzle with 500 pieces

Where would portion be a reasonable alternative to member?

In some situations, the words portion and member are roughly equivalent. However, portion implies an assigned or allotted part.

cut the pie into six portions

When can section be used instead of member?

The words section and member can be used in similar contexts, but section applies to a relatively small or uniform part.

the entertainment section of the newspaper

When might segment be a better fit than member?

The meanings of segment and member largely overlap; 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 member In 2024, the office that disciplines attorneys (which Brech later took over) lost three of its seven staff members in short order. — Arkansas Online, 13 Nov. 2026 With a group of other young, bright-eyed theater nerds, Kirk became an early member of the Naked Theater, a grassroots company that existed for just a few years. — Lucy Gellman, Hartford Courant, 13 Nov. 2026 Raphael Saadiq and Rapsody Raphael Saadiq is a three-time Grammy Award winner who first rose to fame as a member of the R&B group Tony! — Cbs Baltimore, CBS News, 13 Nov. 2026 Its members-only Carnaúba Wind House, opened in 2024, offers bungalow stays with a kite center, beach club, restaurant, and freshwater lagoon, while the larger Vila Carnaúba development is adding more luxury residences and beach tennis facilities. — Megan Spurrell, Condé Nast Traveler, 13 Nov. 2026 See All Example Sentences for member
Recent Examples of Synonyms for member
Noun
  • This could help establish a circular supply chain in which discarded electronic components become feedstock for new industrial applications.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 3 Nov. 2026
  • Many companies have responded to component shortages by raising prices or reducing specifications for current devices.
    — Kif Leswing, CNBC, 2 Nov. 2026
Noun
  • Caltrans said that during the portion of the closure, those lanes will be free for everyone to use to get through the traffic.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 7 Nov. 2026
  • Hard to believe, but the postseason is underway for a large portion of the country, with everyone else to follow suit next week.
    — Zach Dean OutKick, FOXNews.com, 7 Nov. 2026
Noun
  • One of the strongest tests comes from Big Bang nucleosynthesis (BBN), the process through which the first light elements formed during the universe’s first few minutes.
    — Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 8 Nov. 2026
  • Stew and Rodewald are as eager as anyone to see what Levingston has done with a project that takes elements of Stew’s real coming-of-age and sets them to rock ‘n’ roll.
    — Chris Willman, Variety, 8 Nov. 2026
Noun
  • Issa disputed other parts of the government’s account in a hallway interview shortly after Masias’ hearing ended.
    — Graham Womack, Sacbee.com, 14 Nov. 2026
  • Very thankful to be a part of a household who really helped drive my faith.
    — Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 14 Nov. 2026
Noun
  • However, the researchers propose that nuclear reaction rates and the neutron’s decay rate slow by the same factor, preserving their relationship with the expansion rate.
    — Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 8 Nov. 2026
  • Angela Gonzales-Torres, a fellow Democrat who started her campaign to unseat Gomez long before the ethics inquiry, said the controversy surrounding the congressman became an important factor for voters in the closing stretch.
    — Anna Liss-Roy, Washington Post, 7 Nov. 2026
Noun
  • The backstory The resort sits on a section of land that was once part of Prince Jonah Kūhiō Kalanianaʻole’s estate, known in Hawaiian as Pua Leilani.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 12 Nov. 2026
  • Sixty-plus acres were sold to the home builder Pulte, and that section was annexed by Fort Worth last year, leaving a remaining 36 acres under the sole jurisdiction of the county for now.
    — Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 Nov. 2026
Noun
  • The next 48 hours will be fixated on finding one more ingredient, if the price is right.
    — Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 9 Nov. 2026
  • The flavor excels because each ingredient punches above its weight.
    — Nina Moskowitz, Bon Appetit Magazine, 8 Nov. 2026
Noun
  • This level of engineering and performance potential drops the One-All into a competitive segment.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 7 Nov. 2026
  • Six active cables currently cross through the contested Strait of Hormuz, linking the Middle East to Europe, Africa and Asia, with two more cables having segments under construction in the region.
    — Jeremy Hsu, ArsTechnica, 6 Nov. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Member.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/member. Accessed 15 Nov. 2026.

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