portion 1 of 2

Definition of portionnext

portion

2 of 2

verb

Synonym Chooser

How is the word portion distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of portion are destiny, doom, fate, and lot. While all these words mean "a predetermined state or end," portion implies the apportioning of good and evil.

remorse was his daily portion

When might destiny be a better fit than portion?

The synonyms destiny and portion are sometimes interchangeable, but destiny implies something foreordained and often suggests a great or noble course or end.

the country's destiny to be a model of liberty to the world

In what contexts can doom take the place of portion?

Although the words doom and portion have much in common, doom distinctly implies a grim or calamitous fate.

if the rebellion fails, his doom is certain

When could fate be used to replace portion?

The meanings of fate and portion largely overlap; however, fate implies an inevitable and usually an adverse outcome.

the fate of the submarine is unknown

How are the words lot and portion related?

Both lot and portion imply a distribution by fate or destiny, lot suggesting blind chance.

it was her lot to die childless

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 portion
Noun
Police said speed was not a factor in the crash, which left a portion of High Street temporarily closed, according to WHDH. Abigail Adams, PEOPLE, 19 May 2026 If creditors are circling and survivor benefits represent a significant portion of your income, knowing your rights and exploring your debt relief options can make a meaningful difference. Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 19 May 2026
Verb
My old colleague Peter Holderith tipped this off a few years ago, actually—that automakers should stop trying to cram every feature into one megascreen and portion them out into localized panels that group similar functions together. Adam Ismail, The Drive, 1 Apr. 2026 Pre-portioning baskets from the start, setting a one-treat-per-day rule after Easter morning and donating or freezing the excess are the strategies parents are actually using. Allison Palmer, Kansas City Star, 30 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for portion
Recent Examples of Synonyms for portion
Noun
  • The movies before this one, their destinies were so half-hazard.
    Anthony D'Alessandro, Deadline, 13 May 2026
  • The momentum is with them, even if Milan’s destiny is in their hands.
    James Horncastle, New York Times, 12 May 2026
Noun
  • Credentials grant people access to player areas and other non-public parts of Roland Garros and the All England Club.
    Ava Wallace, New York Times, 18 May 2026
  • Data center projects are likely to migrate to parts of Europe with lower power costs, creating winners and losers across the continent, the experts said.
    April Roach,Joseph Wilkins, CNBC, 18 May 2026
Noun
  • The former couple share Zahra and daughter Lola Simon, 23.
    Madison E. Goldberg, PEOPLE, 19 May 2026
  • For example, TikTokers share stacked water recipes that often involve collagen powder, creatine powder, coconut water, homemade fruit juices, and electrolyte packets.
    Julia Landwehr, Health, 18 May 2026
Verb
  • Her husband, Souksavath Noi Keomisy, pleaded guilty in 2009 to felony federal charges of conspiracy to possess the drug ecstasy with the intent to distribute.
    Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 18 May 2026
  • Half of the settlement amount will be distributed directly to county, city, and township governments, with the rest distributed to the state for drug prevention services.
    CBS News, CBS News, 18 May 2026
Noun
  • Putting words on the page seems too low stakes to get worked up about, and yet the terror of saying something taboo—or just being boring—feels like a terrible fate to most writers.
    David O’Neill, New Yorker, 20 May 2026
  • Amy Dickham, a professor of wildlife conservation at the University of Oxford, questioned the need to focus on Timmy when many other marine animals suffer similar fates or injuries caused by human activity.
    Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 19 May 2026
Noun
  • The most touching sections feature John expressing his love for Yoko, and drawing a connection between his love for her and his relationship with Paul, as well as his unresolved feelings about his 1970s activism.
    Vikram Murthi, IndieWire, 15 May 2026
  • The Patriots broke a 14-14 tie with kills from Hudson McFarlane and the game-winning attack from David Griffin to claim Christian’s first section title in boys volleyball.
    Breven Honda, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 May 2026
Noun
  • Both addressed the problem by closing many weak stores, exiting a large proportion of the department stores that sold their goods, dialing back the discounting, and focusing consumers back to their heritage and reputation for quality.
    Phil Wahba, Fortune, 19 May 2026
  • And at some point, when a significant proportion of the country’s vehicles are EVs or PHEVs, an alternative road-funding method that does not rely on the gas tax will certainly be in order.
    Jonathan M. Gitlin, ArsTechnica, 19 May 2026
Verb
  • In response to an emergency request from drugmakers, the court paused a ruling that the drug must be prescribed and dispensed in person by a doctor.
    Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 14 May 2026
  • Designed to sit inside your body and activate when needed to help fight infections at the source, the strategy could dispense with the need for pills, shots and even diagnostics.
    Jackie Flynn Mogensen, Scientific American, 14 May 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Portion.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/portion. Accessed 20 May. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on portion

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster