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 Janelle King, one of four Republicans on the five-member board, said during a meeting Thursday that such a requirement would impose new burdens on county election officials, including possibly having to hire additional poll workers. — Arkansas Online, 2 Oct. 2026 Incredible influence can be bought for just a few tens of millions of dollars, and members of the Forbes 400 would still easily retain tens of millions of dollars even after the levels of wealth taxation that have been proposed. — Jeff Hoopes, Washington Post, 1 Oct. 2026 The law allows national and state member banks to invest up to 20% of their capital and surplus in affordable housing, small business lending and community revitalization. — Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2026 One example is the Church Project in Texas, a faith community that has returned to the practices of early Christianity by primarily meeting in small groups in members’ homes. — John Blake, CNN Money, 1 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for member
Recent Examples of Synonyms for member
Noun
  • The rule also translates to an extra 90 tons a year of soot particles and 4,870 additional tons a year of smog components such as nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds emitted into the air in coming years, experts say.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 29 Sep. 2026
  • Circ’s technology is designed to separate polycotton into its component materials, recovering cellulose from cotton and PTA and MEG, the building blocks of polyester, from the polyester component.
    — Rhonda Richford, Footwear News, 28 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • Each portion of the exhibit has illustrated diagrams detailing that part of the human anatomy.
    — Emma Hall October 3, Sacbee.com, 3 Oct. 2026
  • The recording includes hesitations and human interventions rather than presenting only the successful portions of the operation.
    — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 2 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • One of the most jarring elements of Baird’s documentary — as with most nonfiction projects about Palestinians released in the last few years — is how much of the language featured in the film echoes the contemporary moment.
    — Lovia Gyarkye, HollywoodReporter, 4 Oct. 2026
  • Colman was dressed in another suiting moment that incorporated casual elements like oversized jeans.
    — Amina Ayoud, Footwear News, 4 Oct. 2026
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
Noun
  • Climate change was considered a factor in the December 2021 wildfire that destroyed Somauroo's home, after the county's suit was originally filed.
    — LINDSAY WHITEHURST, Arkansas Online, 4 Oct. 2026
  • Some experts point to worsening public health since the 2008 financial crisis, citing factors such as growing obesity, long hospital waiting times, the cost-of-living crisis and other social causes.
    — The Week UK, TheWeek, 4 Oct. 2026
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
Noun
  • Secondly, the breakfast sandwich blended the savoriness, spiciness, and cheesiness of its ingredients perfectly.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 3 Oct. 2026
  • Monster Energy said in a statement that caffeine and other drink ingredients are found in a broad range of food products.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 3 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • At the same time, nonalcoholic beer has been one of the few hot segments of the global beer industry.
    — Erik Kirschbaum, Los Angeles Times, 3 Oct. 2026
  • Hammond and This Morning co-host Dermot O’Leary were presenting a segment about pets when the incident happened.
    — Jake Kanter, Deadline, 2 Oct. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Member.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/member. Accessed 5 Oct. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!