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

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
The lesion that was removed is from the part of the brain that causes moments of unfounded fear. Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 22 June 2026 They are made from 1 million different parts sourced from 5,000 different suppliers. Rob Toews, Forbes.com, 22 June 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
And then part two of that is that the only rights the streamer gets from the independent producer are first-cycle. Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 17 June 2026 The Falcons swapped three spots on their roster Wednesday after mandatory minicamp, adding a trio of United Football League players and parting ways with a group headlined by receiver Casey Washington. Daniel Flick, AJC.com, 17 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for part
Recent Examples of Synonyms for part
Noun
  • Brazil started off the Group Stage portion of the tournament with a 1-1 tie in New Jersey at MetLife Stadium.
    Sean Joseph OutKick, FOXNews.com, 17 June 2026
  • The portion of the Genesis verse cited by Roupp on his hat included God's promise to never again send a worldwide flood and the rainbow in the sky is the sign of that covenant.
    ABC News, ABC News, 16 June 2026
Noun
  • Yet sluggishness at the very top is masking dynamism throughout the rest of the list, as a new generation of firms—whether Vietnamese conglomerates, Singaporean banks, or once-loss-making digital platforms—is capturing a greater share of regional revenue and profits.
    Andrew Staples, Fortune, 16 June 2026
  • Now, the White Sox have a share of first place in the AL Central.
    Stephen J. Nesbitt, New York Times, 16 June 2026
Noun
  • Brian Gutiérrez, the Mexican American who played a key role in the opener as South Africa was hit a with a red card while trying to stop him, and veteran Roberto Alvarado, who recorded an assist against South Africa, joined Rangel as Chivas starters in the opener.
    Eduard Cauich, Los Angeles Times, 18 June 2026
  • Pakistan, which has played a mediation role in US-Iran talks, endorsed the agreement, too, according to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
    Pamela Avila, CNN Money, 18 June 2026
Noun
  • More recently, Boyd has criticized the elimination of federal programs aimed at helping farmers of color acquire land.
    Charlie Lapastora, CBS News, 20 June 2026
  • Algae need nitrogen and phosphorus to grow, and the Reflecting Pool is primarily fed by the Potomac River, which gets heavy doses of those nutrients from nearby urban and agricultural lands.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 20 June 2026
Adverb
  • With Chisholm lost halfway through Thursday’s game, the Yankees’ red-hot lineup cooled off.
    Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 19 June 2026
  • Travelers will fly halfway around the world to find crystal-clear, blue water, from The Bahamas to the Seychelles and the Gili Islands.
    Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 19 June 2026
Verb
  • Dutch find separating goal to regain control With Japan in full control of momentum after the quick answer, the Netherlands parlayed a swing of possession into a winner in the 64th minute.
    Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 June 2026
  • Buddha offers an egalitarian path to enlightenment; Confucius codifies a religion of learning; Augustine infuses Christianity with Plato and Aristotle; Martin Luther shifts spirituality inward; Duns Scotus separates belief from knowledge; William of Ockham cultivates equality under the law.
    Alex Ross, New Yorker, 15 June 2026
Verb
  • The pair moved to the parking lot, where several others became involved.
    Caroline Zimmerman, Kansas City Star, 19 June 2026
  • The Eastern Pacific remains a key corridor for narcotics trafficking, with criminal organizations frequently using small vessels to move drugs toward North America.
    Michael Sinkewicz, FOXNews.com, 19 June 2026
Verb
  • The proposal also has divided politicians within the Democratic Party.
    Queenie Wong, Los Angeles Times, 18 June 2026
  • Support for Ukraine has divided the GOP for years.
    Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 18 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Part.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/part. Accessed 23 Jun. 2026.

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