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

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
For more than a century, the American motion picture industry has been an enduring part of our shared experience. — Paul Gunsky, IndieWire, 25 Sep. 2026 Hairline design is one of the easiest parts of a transplant to get wrong and one of the hardest to ignore once the hair has grown. — Ascend Agency, New York Daily News, 25 Sep. 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
Out of that conversation grew my novel The Undead, which is, in some ways, a parting love letter to Moscow. — Literary Hub, 15 Sep. 2026 Ratledge, Sewell and tight ends Sam LaPorta and Brock Wright combined to part the Red Sea for Gibbs for a walk-in score. — Colton Pouncy, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for part
Recent Examples of Synonyms for part
Noun
  • If the leak becomes more pronounced, repair costs can vary significantly depending on which portion of the oil pan is involved.
    — John Paul Senior Manager Public Affairs And Traffic Safety Aaa Northeast, Hartford Courant, 26 Sep. 2026
  • When someone makes a charitable payment and receives goods or services in return, the deductible portion is generally limited to the amount exceeding the value of the benefit received.
    — Jayson Weingarten, Fortune, 26 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • At many schools, legacy students make up roughly the same share of the class as first-generation college students, those who are the first in their immediate families to attend college.
    — Jayson Weingarten, Fortune, 26 Sep. 2026
  • On Vercel, their share rose to 55% in August from 11% in January.
    — Kai Nicol-Schwarz, CNBC, 26 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • But the leading candidate for the role is future Hall of Famer Klay Thompson.
    — Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 22 Sep. 2026
  • Legendary France boss Didier Deschamps stepped down from his role following the World Cup, meaning Mbappé will have to get used to a new national team coach for the first time.
    — Amanda Davies, CNN Money, 22 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • After heading away from land, Polo was forecast to hook back toward Mexico's coast further north on Saturday.
    — MEGAN JANETSKY, Arkansas Online, 25 Sep. 2026
  • Global food demand is expected to continue rising toward mid-century while agricultural land and water remain constrained.
    — Aidan Connolly, Forbes.com, 25 Sep. 2026
Adverb
  • There is a big revelation less than halfway into the show, one that might even count as a plot twist, and thus something not to be spoiled… if not for the fact that virtually every synopsis in the last 70 years has included it in the first sentence.
    — Chris Willman, Variety, 24 Sep. 2026
  • Yeah, halfway across the world to meet George Lucas and Miss [Mellody] Hobson.
    — Laura Zornosa, Los Angeles Times, 23 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • The system could therefore separate where a biological signal is detected from where treatment is delivered.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 25 Sep. 2026
  • The danger begins before mentorship has separated itself from help.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 24 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Taken together, the announcements show Meta moving beyond the idea of glasses as simply VR or camera devices.
    — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 24 Sep. 2026
  • There’s been a steady drumbeat of streaming price hikes as companies over the last few years — and months — as companies moved away from a focus on subscriber additions to profitability.
    — Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 23 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Double-height elements in the facade divide the tower into four sections.
    — Abhimanyu Ghoshal, New Atlas, 26 Sep. 2026
  • California voters are divided on taxing the rich, according to a new poll.
    — Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 26 Sep. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Part.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/part. Accessed 29 Sep. 2026.

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