Definition of piecenext
1
2
as in composition
a literary, musical, or artistic production presented a new interpretation of the piece by Mozart

Synonyms & Similar Words

3
4
as in portion
something belonging to, due to, or contributed by an individual member of a group believes his piece of the profits should be higher

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

piece

2 of 2

verb

Synonym Chooser

How is the word piece distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of piece are division, fragment, member, part, portion, section, and segment. While all these words mean "something less than the whole," piece applies to a separate or detached part of a whole.

a puzzle with 500 pieces

When is division a more appropriate choice than piece?

While in some cases nearly identical to piece, division applies to a large or diversified part.

the manufacturing division of the company

When can fragment be used instead of piece?

While the synonyms fragment and piece are close in meaning, fragment applies to a part produced by or as if by breaking off.

only a fragment of the play still exists

Where would member be a reasonable alternative to piece?

In some situations, the words member and piece are roughly equivalent. However, member suggests one of the functional units composing a body.

a structural member

When might part be a better fit than piece?

The words part and piece can be used in similar contexts, but part is a general term appropriate when indefiniteness is required.

they ran only part of the way

When would portion be a good substitute for piece?

Although the words portion and piece have much in common, portion implies an assigned or allotted part.

cut the pie into six portions

When could section be used to replace piece?

The meanings of section and piece largely overlap; however, section applies to a relatively small or uniform part.

the entertainment section of the newspaper

In what contexts can segment take the place of piece?

The words segment and piece are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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 piece
Noun
Larger pieces of fabric and prototype samples without too many imperfections are sorted for reuse, as well as smaller pieces of leather. — Bella Webb, Vogue, 8 Oct. 2026 Then a judge had to order the state to rewrite its puff-piece ballot description into something that says what the amendment will actually do. — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 8 Oct. 2026
Verb
Advertisement Adams, watching from Anna’s side of the revelation, says Anna is piecing it together at nearly the same moment Max is. — Jp Mangalindan, Time, 31 July 2026 Among the most harrowing was an overhead photograph of Rivas’ body pieced back together on a metal table, her face skeletonized. — Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 24 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for piece
Recent Examples of Synonyms for piece
Noun
  • The star is 2,160,000 ppb of low-molecular-weight collagen—in other words, smaller collagen fragments that help draw moisture to skin for a plumper, firmer look.
    — Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 7 Oct. 2026
  • This test, as well as others like it, can detect tiny fragments of free-floating DNA in the blood.
    — H. Gilbert Welch, STAT, 6 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • And this change—subtle but enormous, accreting, over decades, through various currents and ecologies of selection, like a change in the composition of pearls—has altered our collective sense of what comedy is.
    — Dan Brooks, New Yorker, 10 Oct. 2026
  • In contrast, other oxides rose over time, suggesting that the newly arriving material has a distinct chemical composition.
    — John Timmer, ArsTechnica, 9 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Slota’s online footprint shows a history of endorsing violence against political enemies, training with firearms, and inviting other leftists to prepare for possible armed conflict before his arrest, a Washington Examiner review found.
    — Hudson Crozier, The Washington Examiner, 9 Oct. 2026
  • On his cellphone, according to the complaint, investigators found messages about drug trafficking and firearms, including devices capable of converting Glock pistols into a fully automatic machine gun.
    — Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 8 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • High wind warnings cover portions of the southern Appalachians.
    — Erika Angulo, NBC news, 11 Oct. 2026
  • The group acquired Origin for just over $40 million, plus a portion of future royalties, and became the basin’s top player.
    — Jordan Blum, Fortune, 10 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • By comparison, human advisors can build a comprehensive financial plan — including investing, taxes, insurance, retirement planning, estate planning and more — based on your specific goals.
    — Kate Dore, CFP®, EA,Kelli Grant, CFP®, CNBC, 8 Oct. 2026
  • By the end of last year, 65 Marriott associates provided more than 680 hours of mentorship, helping refugee women build confidence and job skills, as well as find opportunities for work.
    — Ted Kitterman, Fortune, 8 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Rooms decor is sophisticated, and not in the slightest bit stuffy.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 12 Oct. 2026
  • There was the title, an obvious nod to the first Zuckerberg film, and ads used bits of Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross’ score.
    — Brent Lang, IndieWire, 11 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Her most recent work, Elegies (2023), a documentary about Hong Kong poetry, opened Hong Kong International Film Festival and was nominated for the Golden Horse Awards.
    — Liz Shackleton, Deadline, 11 Oct. 2026
  • While her work regularly brings her into close proximity with children, Uta has little interest in starting a family of her own.
    — Guy Lodge, Variety, 11 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • About the shot in the trailer where Garfield’s Altman goes into a bunker with a bunch of guns?
    — Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 5 Oct. 2026
  • Sacramento County sheriff’s officials recovered the weapon used by the 34-year-old man fatally shot by deputies Sunday near Marconi and Eastern avenues and said he had been arrested on gun charges at the same intersection in June.
    — Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 5 Oct. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Piece.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/piece. Accessed 12 Oct. 2026.

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