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 Prince Paul, 100/200, Wellington junior: Broke four school records at district meet, winning three of his events (100, 200, 400); his 100 clocking (10.83) broke a 20-year-old school record; member of the 4×400 (3:24.60) school record relay. Gary Curreri, Sun Sentinel, 20 June 2025 The Netflix series, which gave the squad a new burst of popularity, focused somewhat on the financial struggle of members in its first season, showing the need of many to hold full-time jobs in addition to their duties to the team. Chris Morris, Fortune, 20 June 2025 According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), at this level, some members of the general public may experience health effects, while members of sensitive groups may experience more serious health effects. Joe Edwards, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 June 2025 The Black Panthers lobbied Stone to replace the two white band members with Black musicians. Rob Tannenbaum, Los Angeles Times, 9 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for member
Recent Examples of Synonyms for member
Noun
  • Every three months the components are reset to 2.5% weighting.
    Brendan Coffey, Sportico.com, 1 July 2025
  • One reason is that these five stocks – all DJIA components – have been dropping in price, not rising.
    John Navin, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
Noun
  • Different portions of the vehicle illuminate then deactivate while the car is charging to give a visual countdown as to when the car is full of electrons and ready for the journey that awaits.
    Eileen Falkenberg-Hull, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 June 2025
  • That involves both the Medicaid portion of the bill as well as the state and local tax deduction, which remain in flux.
    Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 25 June 2025
Noun
  • Despite deploying advanced models, the organization lacked the foundational elements for scalable impact.
    Diganta Sengupta, Forbes.com, 23 June 2025
  • Make sure to get an outdoor rug that can stand up to the elements.
    Christopher Murray may earn a commission if you buy through our referral links. This content was created by a team that works independently from the Fox newsroom., FOXNews.com, 23 June 2025
Noun
  • The final season will air in three parts spread between November and December.
    Joe Otterson, Variety, 1 July 2025
  • The series will conclude with its upcoming fifth season, to be released in three parts on Nov. 26, Dec. 25 and Dec. 31.
    Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 1 July 2025
Noun
  • Among the factors – beyond the prospect of a hard cap – in sitting out Thursday night’s second round was the Heat already with a packed roster at the moment.
    Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 27 June 2025
  • Your credit limit on a zero-interest card might range from $1,500 to $10,000 or more, depending on your credit score and other factors.
    Daniel de Visé, USA Today, 27 June 2025
Noun
  • Democrats, who are making arguments before the parliamentarian to slash key sections of the bill, called the ruling a win.
    Claudia Grisales, NPR, 26 June 2025
  • The chapter’s first section responds to a tendency in Harry Potter studies to interpret the series as if its version of magic portrays a profoundly different and salutary alternative to Muggle technology.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 26 June 2025
Noun
  • First, the Pigment Processor Daily Brightening Serum ($115) targets dark spots and uneven skin tone with ingredients like kojic acid, known for its fast-acting brightening properties, but noticeable does make skin more sensitive to the sun.
    Tiana Randall, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
  • Nicotine is the key ingredient, either extracted from tobacco leaf or made synthetically.
    Erica Sloan, SELF, 1 July 2025
Noun
  • San Diego oversees about 200 segments of flood channels, including those along Chollas Creek that overflowed, according to a 2023 report.
    Jeff McDonald, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 June 2025
  • Campbell noted a recent Today show segment where The White Lotus’s Leslie Bibb was serving as guest co-host alongside Jenna Bush Hager.
    Joe Reid, Vulture, 21 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Member.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/member. Accessed 5 Jul. 2025.

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