part 1 of 3

Definition of partnext

part

2 of 3

adverb

part

3 of 3

verb

1
as in to separate
to go or move in different directions from a central point after traveling together for three weeks, we parted at Rome

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2
3
4

Synonym Chooser

How is the word part distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of part are division, fragment, member, piece, portion, section, and segment. While all these words mean "something less than the whole," part is a general term appropriate when indefiniteness is required.

they ran only part of the way

In what contexts can division take the place of part?

The meanings of division and part largely overlap; however, division applies to a large or diversified part.

the manufacturing division of the company

When might fragment be a better fit than part?

The words fragment and part are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, fragment applies to a part produced by or as if by breaking off.

only a fragment of the play still exists

When could member be used to replace part?

While in some cases nearly identical to part, member suggests one of the functional units composing a body.

a structural member

When would piece be a good substitute for part?

Although the words piece and part have much in common, piece applies to a separate or detached part of a whole.

a puzzle with 500 pieces

Where would portion be a reasonable alternative to part?

The synonyms portion and part are sometimes interchangeable, but portion implies an assigned or allotted part.

cut the pie into six portions

When is section a more appropriate choice than part?

While the synonyms section and part are close in meaning, section applies to a relatively small or uniform part.

the entertainment section of the newspaper

When is it sensible to use segment instead of part?

In some situations, the words segment and part are roughly equivalent. 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

How is the word part distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of part are division, fragment, member, piece, portion, section, and segment. While all these words mean "something less than the whole," part is a general term appropriate when indefiniteness is required.

they ran only part of the way

In what contexts can division take the place of part?

The meanings of division and part largely overlap; however, division applies to a large or diversified part.

the manufacturing division of the company

When might fragment be a better fit than part?

The words fragment and part are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, fragment applies to a part produced by or as if by breaking off.

only a fragment of the play still exists

When could member be used to replace part?

While in some cases nearly identical to part, member suggests one of the functional units composing a body.

a structural member

When would piece be a good substitute for part?

Although the words piece and part have much in common, piece applies to a separate or detached part of a whole.

a puzzle with 500 pieces

Where would portion be a reasonable alternative to part?

The synonyms portion and part are sometimes interchangeable, but portion implies an assigned or allotted part.

cut the pie into six portions

When is section a more appropriate choice than part?

While the synonyms section and part are close in meaning, section applies to a relatively small or uniform part.

the entertainment section of the newspaper

When is it sensible to use segment instead of part?

In some situations, the words segment and part are roughly equivalent. 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

How is the word part distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of part are division, fragment, member, piece, portion, section, and segment. While all these words mean "something less than the whole," part is a general term appropriate when indefiniteness is required.

they ran only part of the way

In what contexts can division take the place of part?

The meanings of division and part largely overlap; however, division applies to a large or diversified part.

the manufacturing division of the company

When might fragment be a better fit than part?

The words fragment and part are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, fragment applies to a part produced by or as if by breaking off.

only a fragment of the play still exists

When could member be used to replace part?

While in some cases nearly identical to part, member suggests one of the functional units composing a body.

a structural member

When would piece be a good substitute for part?

Although the words piece and part have much in common, piece applies to a separate or detached part of a whole.

a puzzle with 500 pieces

Where would portion be a reasonable alternative to part?

The synonyms portion and part are sometimes interchangeable, but portion implies an assigned or allotted part.

cut the pie into six portions

When is section a more appropriate choice than part?

While the synonyms section and part are close in meaning, section applies to a relatively small or uniform part.

the entertainment section of the newspaper

When is it sensible to use segment instead of part?

In some situations, the words segment and part are roughly equivalent. 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 part
Noun
Imamoglu’s reelection in 2024 was part of a broader wave that saw the CHP displace Erdogan’s Justice and Development Party as the most popular in Turkey. Beril Akman, Bloomberg, 9 Mar. 2026 As a sophomore, Tate was part of a staff that included seniors Gianna Hillegonds (Bradley) and Mari Jarmoszka (Carnegie Mellon). Tony Baranek, Chicago Tribune, 9 Mar. 2026
Adverb
The enclosed chamber offers very good heat regulation with an extruder fan, a part-cooling fan, an auxiliary part-cooling fan, and a fan to regulate the chamber. PC Magazine, 15 Aug. 2025 François Girard’s take — part mysterious, part mystifying — on Wagner’s last opera is one of the Met’s most interesting productions of the last decade or so, and returns for the first time since its premiere in 2013. David Allen, New York Times, 1 Feb. 2018
Verb
The hairstyle was the ideal complement to the outfit too, with loose, light waves that were parted in the middle and placed behind her ears. María Diez, Glamour, 2 Mar. 2026 Mia Goth chose a red and black lace overlay frock, with delicate drop earrings and her brunette locks loose around her, opting to wear her fringe center parted. Ashley Hume, FOXNews.com, 2 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for part
Recent Examples of Synonyms for part
Noun
  • On Tuesday, Chicago will be just north of a warm front covering the southern portion of the metro, Doom said Monday, so temperatures in the city were expected to drop into the 50s.
    Madeline King, Chicago Tribune, 11 Mar. 2026
  • House Republicans want to return $500 million annually to the middle class by expanding an income tax credit that offsets a portion of municipal property tax bills.
    Keith M. Phaneuf, Hartford Courant, 10 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • The company, an industry power player that reportedly earned $25 billion in revenue and $500 million in profit last year, controls roughly 70-80% of major concert and live‑event ticket sales and owns a significant share of venues and concert promotions.
    Taijuan Moorman, USA Today, 10 Mar. 2026
  • The shares fell to 76 cents Monday.
    Iris Kwok, Los Angeles Times, 10 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Ben Wang delivers a breakthrough performance in the title role as a kid who tries to conquer his anxiety issues head-on by running for class president.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 12 Mar. 2026
  • Age limits inspired by Australia law won’t hamper role adults play in raising children.
    Ramesh Ponnuru, Washington Post, 12 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Don Abelardo Rodriguez, son of the Mexican president, spotted this plot of land from helicopter and turned it into a private home and eventually the region's first resort.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 14 Mar. 2026
  • White officials used their positions atop the local commissions that oversaw federal agricultural programs to drive Black landowners into so much debt that most of them had to sell off their land.
    Boyce Upholt, New Yorker, 14 Mar. 2026
Adverb
  • He had been flown business class halfway around the world and put up at a five-star hotel for what he had been told would be the first World Conference of Classics.
    Chang Che, New Yorker, 8 Mar. 2026
  • An artist’s closest collaborators might be halfway around the world.
    Michael James Rocha, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • According to his family’s attorney, Nikolas De Bremaeker, the boy was separated from the medical devices during the deportation process.
    Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 10 Mar. 2026
  • The line separating the two is blurry, as both star types experience winds and ejecta before dying.
    Big Think, Big Think, 9 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Andrea Riquier Gas prices rose across the country, and the price of oil was moving higher on Thursday.
    Bart Jansen, USA Today, 13 Mar. 2026
  • The Lakers moved up to third place in the Western Conference at 41-25 on the season following their seventh win in eight games.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 13 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Density can be measured by dividing mass by volume.
    Heather Barker, Space.com, 11 Mar. 2026
  • In Costa’s vision, the city was to be divided into several sectors.
    Sophia La Banca, JSTOR Daily, 11 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Part.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/part. Accessed 14 Mar. 2026.

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