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 Parks and Recreation star, who was part of the sketch comedy show's cast from 2001 to 2008, reflected on SNL during a conversation with her former costar Will Forte on her podcast Good Hang. Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 19 June 2025 This is part of the wider collaboration between BWPC and the league. Melanie Anzidei, New York Times, 19 June 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 actress kept her makeup look natural with bold lashes, and wore her blonde hair parted down the middle in loose waves. Lori A Bashian, FOXNews.com, 31 May 2025 Aina’s long blond hair was curled and parted to the side of her head. Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 6 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for part
Recent Examples of Synonyms for part
Noun
  • Elam also shared portions of one of Lewis' final text messages to her.
    Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 14 June 2025
  • Because the mattress is super customizable, each portion comes in a separate box, which is a bit of a nightmare as a single person lugging each box up four flights of stairs by herself.
    Nashia Baker, Architectural Digest, 13 June 2025
Noun
  • An increase in women veteran representation under the PACT Act was also visible, with 9.5% of claims being filed by women, with a 9.1% share of the eligible population.
    Cristina Johnson, The Orlando Sentinel, 14 June 2025
  • If billionaires don’t want aircrafts all to themselves—or don’t want to shell out the big bucks to store, maintain and staff their own planes—another option is fractional ownership, which means purchasing a share of a plane and access to it for a proportional number of hours per year.
    Monica Hunter-Hart, Forbes.com, 14 June 2025
Noun
  • The source also commended Kate for balancing her royal role while taking care of her health.
    Jason Pham, StyleCaster, 18 June 2025
  • Warfield, who played Roz on the original Night Court, occasionally reprised her role as well.
    Matt Webb Mitovich, TVLine, 18 June 2025
Noun
  • 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
  • First discovered: 4:32 p.m. June 20 Initial location: Fresno County, Calif. Fire type: Wildfire Fire name: Fresno Slough Mendota A new wildfire was reported today at 4:32 p.m. in Fresno County, California. Fresno Slough Mendota Fire has been burning on private land.
    CA WILDFIRE BOT, Sacbee.com, 21 June 2025
Adverb
  • Hutchinson received the ball on halfway, turned and drove through the centre of the pitch.
    Art de Roché, New York Times, 13 June 2025
  • The tower, which belongs to WAMU-FM and stands approximately 321 feet tall, became the center of emergency activity after the man was spotted on a platform about halfway up at around 3 p.m. Tuesday.
    Elaine Mallon, The Washington Examiner, 13 June 2025
Verb
  • The arrests resemble kidnappings because people are abruptly separated from accompanying family members and attorneys and disappear into elevators.
    Pedro Rios, Mercury News, 16 June 2025
  • Kids are less often separated from siblings or forced to change schools.
    Jayme Fraser, USA Today, 16 June 2025
Verb
  • As the storm moves away, this likelihood decreases.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 14 June 2025
  • Trump's deportation policies have moved toward workplaces, as Immigrations and Customs Enforcement tries to reach the White House's goal of 3,000 deportations a day.
    Domenico Montanaro, NPR, 14 June 2025
Verb
  • The issue of getting more involved in the conflict has divided Trump's MAGA base, with some pointing to his campaign promise to keep America out of foreign wars.
    Allison Pecorin, ABC News, 18 June 2025
  • The internet is divided over a recent marketing gimmick involving Sydney Sweeney, who, in collaboration with the men's personal care company Dr. Squatch, authorized the creation and sale of bars of soap containing, among other things, her bathwater.
    Charles Trepany, USA Today, 18 June 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Part.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/part. Accessed 27 Jun. 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!