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 Free for chamber members and first-time guests; $25 for returning guests. Pomerado News, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Feb. 2026 Family members identified the six other victims in a statement Friday. Michael McGough, Sacbee.com, 22 Feb. 2026 Even though most of them never made it onto a schedule, a noble failure or poorly testing high concept could stick in a network executive or showrunner’s mind, and from that an actor or writer or crew member might find work on a show that did make it through the process. Rick Porter, HollywoodReporter, 21 Feb. 2026 Grimes is not the only Yellowstone cast member to reprise his role on the new show. Dallas Morning News, 21 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for member
Recent Examples of Synonyms for member
Noun
  • In other words, these formulations provide the typical components of your skin’s stem cells in order to replicate their effects—rather than delivering stem cells themselves.
    Deanna Pai, Vogue, 23 Feb. 2026
  • The heavy steel plate was secured before work started on other components of the dam.
    Logan Smith, CBS News, 22 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • Last year, the swimming portion was canceled because of large swells and the event made a quick pivot by offering a 5K run the night before.
    Noah Lyons, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Feb. 2026
  • The unit is currently deployed to the Pokrovsk area -- one of the most intense portions of the front and the focus of a grinding Russian offensive since the summer of 2024.
    David Brennan, ABC News, 24 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • For tea lovers, Nijiri offers afternoon tea courses that incorporate elements of traditional Japanese tea ceremony, creating moments of calm amid the exploration of flavors.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 26 Feb. 2026
  • The bill restricts a local government unit’s ability to impose and increase fees related to building approval and permits, among other design-element limitations.
    Alexandra Kukulka, Chicago Tribune, 25 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • Its longevity can be credited in part to a few smart digital bets over the past three decades.
    Max Tani, semafor.com, 23 Feb. 2026
  • Such words are just part of her vernacular.
    Charlotte Harpur, New York Times, 23 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • There’s one more factor that needs to be taken into account on the largest of cosmic scales, including for the cosmic measurements of the event horizon of the black hole at the center of galaxy Messier 87, and that is the expansion of the Universe.
    Big Think, Big Think, 25 Feb. 2026
  • Ongoing trend Ukraine and Russia aren't alone in experiencing declining fertility and birth rates — the trend can be seen in a variety of European and Asia countries — and the decreases can be down to several factors, from career and lifestyle choices to economic constraints.
    Holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 24 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • Forfeits by high school boys’ soccer teams in the City Section and Southern Section playoffs continued Friday as both sections try to deal with violations of CIF Bylaw 600, which prohibits players from participating in outside leagues during their sports season.
    Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 28 Feb. 2026
  • Keep scrolling to shop 34 exclusive deals from Amazon’s members-only section.
    Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • The resort leans into sourcing locally (wine, food, spa ingredients) and hiring locally.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 24 Feb. 2026
  • Right now, the skin-care industry is brimming with exciting, often mysterious, active ingredients—think exosomes, spicules, and PDRN.
    Deanna Pai, Vogue, 23 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • Next, the city will hire a contractor to build the bridge’s foundation, install the structure and complete the connecting trail segments.
    Nicole Buss, Sacbee.com, 21 Feb. 2026
  • Levin regularly speaks directly to the camera in TMZ’s video segments, breaking down the developments of entertainment-adjacent headlines.
    Jami Ganz, New York Daily News, 21 Feb. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Member.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/member. Accessed 1 Mar. 2026.

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