part 1 of 3

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
Yes, bread can be part of a balanced diet. Laura Schober, Health, 29 Sep. 2025 Whatever the truth, the style was soon exported back to Britain, and was later taken up by American college students as part of their campus kit. Eric Twardzik, Robb Report, 29 Sep. 2025
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
In true Dakota Johnson form, the 34-year-old wore her long brown hair down, her curtain bangs perfectly parted just a smidge at the center. Glamour, 26 Sep. 2025 Her medium brown hair was split evenly down the middle, parting her long bangs on either side of her forehead. Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 24 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for part
Recent Examples of Synonyms for part
Noun
  • If passed, the bill would force hundreds of dispensaries and smoke shops across the state to remove large portions of their inventory.
    Gina Lee Castro, jsonline.com, 3 Oct. 2025
  • That means Swift incorporated a portion of the pop classic's composition into her version, in this case the melody and beginning chorus lyrics.
    Bryan West, USA Today, 3 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Many of those that still produce a large share of their products in cities and towns such as Geneva, Vevey, and Zurich—like Nestlé’s Nespresso coffee arm, DSM-Firmenich, and heavy industrial equipment makers like ABB and Hitachi Energy—are unusual in being able to do so competitively.
    Peter Vanham, Fortune, 2 Oct. 2025
  • Merck’s shares jumped over 5%, amid an announcement that deputy CEO Kai Beckmann will take the reins currently held by CEO Belén Garijo.
    Tasmin Lockwood,Chloe Taylor, CNBC, 1 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • On Wednesday, Trotz claimed forward Tyson Jost off waivers from the Carolina Hurricanes, but Evangelista also is expected to fill a key middle-of-the-lineup role for Nashville.
    Eric Stephens, New York Times, 4 Oct. 2025
  • Vought, who helped write the policy blueprint known as Project 2025, is playing a major role during the shutdown, including on decisions over whether there are mass layoffs of federal employees instead of furloughs and what funding is cut and what is allowed to flow.
    Sarah D. Wire, USA Today, 3 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Most migrating birds depart in the evening, fly through the night, and land by sunrise.
    Brandi D. Addison, The Providence Journal, 29 Sep. 2025
  • In a year when the question of universal freedom still feels contested, The Gettin’ lands as both memorial and mirror, recalling the losses named in 2014 and 2020 and implicating the present tense.
    Skylar Mitchell, Essence, 29 Sep. 2025
Adverb
  • The Ohn Chaw, also known locally as the Eight-Tier Waterfall, is located halfway between Mandalay and Pyin Oo Lwin.
    Latoya Gayle, PEOPLE, 30 Sep. 2025
  • That’s right, Miami’s opponents are halfway to a first down with every run.
    Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 30 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • These are the cases that break models in deployment—and the cases that separate an adequate system from a production-ready one.
    Brian Moore, Fortune, 1 Oct. 2025
  • With parishioners running to hide or get out of the building, Carter and Max were pushed up against a glass window separating the chapel from the foyer, which led to an exit.
    Georgea Kovanis, Freep.com, 1 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • In a positive sign, Nunoo was moving his hands and fingers, according to Sutton.
    Walter Villa, Miami Herald, 5 Oct. 2025
  • That includes other immigrants who continue to buy homes to move into or to invest in, even some without legal immigration status.
    Juan Cordoba, Arkansas Online, 5 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • See how commonwealth compares to other states The classic Halloween symbol is also great at dividing the masses.
    Marina Johnson, Louisville Courier Journal, 2 Oct. 2025
  • Taiwan’s tender architecture is divided into two parts for 2026 and 2027.
    Kapil Kajal, Interesting Engineering, 1 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Part.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/part. Accessed 5 Oct. 2025.

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