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
Set inside the world of the NFL, the series has a generational family component to it, and Moore will be part of it. Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 18 Aug. 2025 In an Instagram post over the weekend, the singer seemed to allude that the songs would be part of an album. Tomás Mier, Rolling Stone, 18 Aug. 2025
Adverb
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 clouds truly began to part, however, when Antony and Josephine gave Baser some advice that would go on to change the course of her career. Sophie Williams, Billboard, 25 July 2025 Paves also styled Simpson’s hair later that night, parting her hair on the left side of her head and tucking it behind her ears. Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 24 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for part
Recent Examples of Synonyms for part
Noun
  • The Bronco Fire was burning on the eastern portion of the San Carlos Apache Indian Reservation.
    Julie Mendes, AZCentral.com, 12 Aug. 2025
  • This isn’t just some rustic detour on the Euro portion of this wine road trip.
    John Noakes, Hartford Courant, 12 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • The chipmaker’s shares jumped more than 2% in extended trading following Trump’s post on Monday.
    Bloomberg, Mercury News, 13 Aug. 2025
  • Sports Edition Coach — a spot to gather clues and discuss (and share) scores.
    Mark Cooper, New York Times, 13 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Butler went on to play a huge role for the Warriors in the second half of the season.
    Evan Massey, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Aug. 2025
  • For months, federal investigators have been examining how tens of millions of dollars has been distributed among Hartford nonprofits, some of which play a vital role across the city’s economically distressed north side.
    Edmund H. Mahony, Hartford Courant, 17 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • With Hasan in Gaza is an aching witness to the beauty of this land and the struggle of its people, neither of which may soon be recognizable at all.
    Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 7 Aug. 2025
  • Grimsley, who oversees the Choctaw tribe’s drone efforts and the piece of land where companies come to test and fly, was one of the people involved in drafting the report the FAA ultimately used to write the rule, and has been following this closely over the last 20 years of his career.
    Jessica Mathews, Fortune, 6 Aug. 2025
Adverb
  • Be prepared to go more than halfway when dealing with others, because the Moon is opposite your sign.
    Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 11 Aug. 2025
  • Most give up halfway, frightened by the warnings of those below.
    Sudhir Gupta, Forbes.com, 11 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • The Jose Peralta School of Dreamers in Queens, and her mom were separated from her 19-year-old brother during an immigration check-in on Tuesday at 26 Federal Plaza, according to the family and their advocates.
    Cayla Bamberger, Chicago Tribune, 16 Aug. 2025
  • In a social media statement, the eatery cited too-quick growth and differing views with the brand’s partners as reasons for separating from the locations.
    Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 15 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Mederos had been more over the top, but the Angels moved his arm down about 10 degrees.
    Jeff Fletcher, Oc Register, 14 Aug. 2025
  • If anyone shows signs of heat illness, promptly move them to a cool, shaded area.
    CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 13 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Focused on expanding their notorious drug and money laundering organization outside of Detroit, their strained relationship has left the brothers divided.
    Giana Levy, Variety, 16 Aug. 2025
  • Spence and his wife, Imaging, divided their time between Wyoming and California before selling their place in Jackson Hole about four years ago.
    Nino Paoli, Fortune, 15 Aug. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Part.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/part. Accessed 21 Aug. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on part

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!