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
The entire robot can be made with parts ordered online and printed at home. Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 1 July 2025 The final season will air in three parts spread between November and December. Joe Otterson, Variety, 1 July 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
Despite fifteen minutes of fame and a big-name investor, retail doors didn’t part like the Red Sea. Mike Dojc, Forbes.com, 11 June 2025 The actress paired the look with just a pair of silver earrings in the shape of leaves, and wore her hair straight and parted in the middle. Lori A Bashian, FOXNews.com, 24 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for part
Recent Examples of Synonyms for part
Noun
  • The Highlands Community Charter Schools’ student population in Sacramento serves a large portion Afghan refugees who do not speak English.
    Ishani Desai, Sacbee.com, 25 June 2025
  • Other at-risk areas included portions of San Bernardino, Inyo and Cleveland national forests as well as BLM land in the Mojave Desert, such as Coyote Dry Lake Bed outside of Joshua Tree National Park.
    Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 25 June 2025
Noun
  • CarMax reported its 2025 first quarter earnings, causing a rise in share price.
    Charles Singh, USA Today, 26 June 2025
  • Ikea has 39 stores in China, although the share of its global sales in the country has been sliding in recent years and was at 3.5% in 2023-24 financial year.
    Anniek Bao, CNBC, 26 June 2025
Noun
  • Diesel has been synonymous with Fast and Furious, given his role as Dominic Toretto in the series that began as a street racing movie in 2001.
    Saajan Jogia, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 July 2025
  • Fetterman’s sentiment comes amid his broader frustrations with his role as senator.
    Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 30 June 2025
Noun
  • Take that same scenario and multiply it by every other parcel of land that any other outdoor enthusiast could lose access to, and the damage would be extensive.
    Peter Nelson, Forbes.com, 21 June 2025
  • The bill eliminates hundreds of billions of dollars in Green New Deal tax credits, repeals former President Joe Biden administration’s electric vehicle mandates, and opens federal lands and waters to oil, gas, coal, geothermal and mineral leasing, according to the EPA’s Tuesday post.
    Maya Wilkins, Chicago Tribune, 21 June 2025
Adverb
  • The United States flew halfway around the world, right into the heart of Iran, over their most sensitive locations.
    CBS News, CBS News, 22 June 2025
  • For three tests between June and November 2024, Starship flew halfway around the world before reentering Earth's atmosphere and splashing down as planned in the Indian Ocean.
    Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 21 June 2025
Verb
  • In a game where the Angels and Nationals combined for 24 runs and 30 hits — with the 19 hits and 15 runs given up by the Angels’ pitching staff representing season-worst marks — what ultimately separated the teams was the Angels’ inability to come through with runners on base.
    Benjamin Royer, Los Angeles Times, 28 June 2025
  • According to the London Times’ Philip Willan, a trade union that represents museum workers had previously warned the Uffizi about the risks posed by the platforms separating visitors from the art.
    Aurora Martínez, Smithsonian Magazine, 27 June 2025
Verb
  • Wales have done well under Wilkinson to move away from a hardened reputation as being Fishlock’s team and become more of a sum of their parts.
    Megan Feringa, New York Times, 27 June 2025
  • Employees are held to high speed standards, with some scanning up to 1,200 items an hour to keep lines moving.
    Meghan Overdeep, Southern Living, 26 June 2025
Verb
  • The brand’s production is divided between Paris and Istanbul, the latter being a city with family ties for India.
    Andrea Onate, Footwear News, 30 June 2025
  • The Oval Office’s ‘One, Big, Beautiful Bill’ has divided opinion, after estimates from the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) found the policies would cost the poorest Americans roughly $1,600 a year while increasing the income of the wealthiest households by an average of $12,000 annually.
    Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 29 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

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

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