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
In another poem, the same Love tends to her postpartum, parting and oiling her scalp. M. Mick Powell august 5, Literary Hub, 5 Aug. 2025 Simply part your hair in sections, shake the bottle, and apply it directly to the scalp before shampooing. Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 1 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for part
Recent Examples of Synonyms for part
Noun
  • States are already grappling with a host of responsibilities the federal government has handed off, including paying a portion of food assistance benefits for the first time.
    Sarah D. Wire, USA Today, 25 Aug. 2025
  • The northern lights could be visible from some parts of the Upper Midwest, including North Dakota, the northern portion of Minnesota, far northern Wisconsin and Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.
    Zachary Folk, Forbes.com, 24 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Nvidia is expected to post a 48% rise in earnings per share on revenue of $45.9 billion for its second fiscal quarter, according to data firm LSEG.
    Medora Lee, USA Today, 26 Aug. 2025
  • Allen could even end up taking the lion’s share of the snaps, not good news for Breece Hall.
    Mike Fore, Forbes.com, 25 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • No sitting vice president has ever served in the role.
    Francesca Chambers, The Enquirer, 30 Aug. 2025
  • After appearing on Loving and Guiding Light in 1992, the actor booked his first major role on One Life to Live, playing Todd Manning.
    Carson Blackwelder, People.com, 29 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • In some spots, the spit of land that holds the highway can be less than 1,000 feet from sound to sea and shrinking.
    Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 21 Aug. 2025
  • At the McCrory Lane development, more than 4.7 acres of land, about 30%, has been set aside to preserve natural open spaces.
    Katie Nixon, The Tennessean, 21 Aug. 2025
Adverb
  • His father, George, was halfway across Hayward Stadium at the 300-meter mark.
    Cory Mull, Forbes.com, 25 Aug. 2025
  • Hecker said the case should be dismissed and that Abrego Garcia is being coerced into accepting a guilty plea by the prospect of being indefinitely detained in a country halfway across the world, where his safety and liberty would be at threat.
    Eduardo Cuevas, USA Today, 24 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • The upper stage, the vehicle known as Starship, separated from the rocket booster about three minutes into the flight to continue on its own on a suborbital trajectory.
    Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2025
  • Kenzi's father will be responsible for bathing the area to prevent infection and separating the bones millimeter by millimeter, day after day.
    Ari Daniel, NPR, 27 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Subsequent release dates have been moved forward to August for the past seven years.
    Jennifer Borresen, USA Today, 26 Aug. 2025
  • Even 6 inches of swiftly moving water can forcefully knock you off your feet.
    CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 26 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • How couple could divide marital assets Swift and Kelce, like many wealthy couples, may opt to keep their own assets in case of a split.
    Edward Segarra, USA Today, 29 Aug. 2025
  • Adopted in 2021, the current congressional map divides the county among the state’s four GOP-leaning districts.
    David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 28 Aug. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Part.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/part. Accessed 1 Sep. 2025.

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