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
Although the cinematography is largely straightforward, Anderson occasionally mixes it up with shots taken from various parts of the auditorium, including the rear of the stage and the ceiling. — Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 2 Oct. 2026 The hardest part about this offer from BetMGM is picking what to bet on. — Outkick, FOXNews.com, 2 Oct. 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
Giudice, who wore her light brown hair parted down the middle, kept things casual for the makeup transformation. — Skyler Caruso, PEOPLE, 21 Sep. 2026 Her hair was parted to one side and folded underneath to meet her chin. — Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 16 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for part
Recent Examples of Synonyms for part
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
  • Dozens of flights to and from Catalina Island have crashed over the years, with pilots saying the airport poses its share of challenges.
    — Fedor Zarkhin, Los Angeles Times, 3 Oct. 2026
  • Until now, scientists could measure the total phosphorus preserved in ancient rocks, but determining the share that was actually available to marine life remained challenging.
    — Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 3 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • The role required Cruise to transform with prosthetics (including a fat suit and thinning white hair) and a put-on Southern accent, but, mostly, the absurdist satire demanded his full acting range.
    — Angelique Jackson, Variety, 30 Sep. 2026
  • Maridueña will assume the role of Juan De Marcos through Sunday, January 3, 2027, at Broadway’s Schoenfeld Theatre.
    — Greg Evans, Deadline, 29 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • Soon, crew who had been traveling on the plane stepped in to stabilize it, issuing a mayday call and seeking a place to land.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Then, the film cuts to show our protagonist’s hand hovering in front of a slide projector displaying a plot of cheap land in South Carolina where nuclear weapons were developed during the Cold War.
    — Emily Watlington, ARTnews.com, 2 Oct. 2026
Adverb
  • Earlier test flights ventured no farther than the Indian Ocean halfway around the world, often crashing in flames and briefly skimming space.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 29 Sep. 2026
  • The earlier test flights ventured no farther than the Indian Ocean halfway around the world, often crashing in flames and briefly skimming space.
    — Marcia Dunn, Los Angeles Times, 28 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • This is to say that the deep structure of Shift cannot be separated from the implications of permanent decline.
    — Jeffrey Weiss, Artforum, 1 Oct. 2026
  • Top Republican lawmakers oppose the measure, claiming that separating the two votes would allow political insiders to gain leverage in the race to replace the seat.
    — Sofia Williams, Sacbee.com, 1 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • There are about a million moving parts, and everybody involved is an outsized character.
    — Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 1 Oct. 2026
  • Justices Elena Kagan, Ketanji Brown Jackson, and Sonia Sotomayor dissented, arguing that allowing the case to move forward prevents the lower court from considering Pike’s allegations from her childhood.
    — Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 1 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Bryan pushed back at the time, arguing that the song spoke to both sides of the aisle and urging fans not to let social media narratives divide them.
    — Jessica Lynch, Billboard, 3 Oct. 2026
  • Although the studio holds out hope that awards buzz could help the film have some legs as audiences discover it, critics have been divided, with Digger holding a 51 percent approval from reviewers on Rotten Tomatoes.
    — Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 3 Oct. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Part.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/part. Accessed 6 Oct. 2026.

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