portion 1 of 2

portion

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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
Should token prices crash, firms that have tied up substantial portions of their balance sheets might face potential liquidity crises. Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025 This area covers the southern portion of Citrus Heights and part of Carmichael. Jennah Pendleton, Sacbee.com, 11 Sep. 2025
Verb
All meals are portioned properly, according to the couple. Pamela Brown, Hartford Courant, 12 Aug. 2025 The firm recently hired former Chipotle executive Jason Cochran as COO to address issues ranging from portioning to speed across both digital and in-store channels. Preston Fore, Fortune, 10 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for portion
Recent Examples of Synonyms for portion
Noun
  • Russia has not rediscovered its imperial destiny.
    Jeremy Shapiro, The Atlantic, 10 Sep. 2025
  • Progress beats perfection, and everyone is the master of their own destiny.
    Point Loma-Ob Monthly, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Images from the scene showed the front part of the top deck of the bus smashed in and its metal frame badly dented, as first responders cordoned off the area.
    Lizbeth Diaz, USA Today, 9 Sep. 2025
  • As part of its deal, Japan also placed an order for 100 Boeing jets, although the value of the order was not disclosed.
    Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 9 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • The share of respondents indicating that foreign and local companies were treated equally rose by 5 percentage points to 37%.
    Evelyn Cheng, CNBC, 10 Sep. 2025
  • Her share was done by 14 percentage points compared to last cycle.
    Nick Sullivan, Charlotte Observer, 10 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Fill a seed spreader with seed and use it to distribute seed evenly over your grass.
    Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 8 Sep. 2025
  • Amid enthusiasm for the decriminalization, Anutin himself announced in that same year his intention to distribute one million low-THC medical cannabis plants to households across the country.
    Dario Sabaghi, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • The fate of higher education will determine the strength of our workforce, the pace of innovation, and America's global competitiveness.
    Leadership Brainery, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
  • With just 24 hours to decide the fate of the house, old resentments bubble up, secrets are exposed and shifting alliances test whatever bonds remain.
    Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 10 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • The Department of Buildings told CBS News New York and News 12 Long Island that a 10-by-10-inch section of the ceiling collapsed due to possible water damage, and pieces of the building fell on customers dining inside.
    Charlotte Phillipp, PEOPLE, 8 Sep. 2025
  • The books are now located on the top shelves of adult nonfiction sections, with signs notifying patrons of the change.
    Taylor Seely, AZCentral.com, 8 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • The proportion of elderly Brazilians—those aged 60 and above—has already more than doubled between 2000 and 2023, reaching over 15 percent of the population.
    Micah McCartney, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Sep. 2025
  • Gen Z, with 18% of the workforce in mid-2024, has been rapidly growing and is projected to continue increasing their presence, while Baby Boomers now make up a smaller proportion of workers.
    Kathryn Lancioni, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • But here, your character dispenses all that great wisdom about how to succeed in Vegas, but the character has evolved into also being a dangerous man who orders broken bones and killings of those who cross him.
    Mike Fleming Jr, Deadline, 11 Sep. 2025
  • The Phillies may want to take note of that fact Thomson dispensed, because having one of those 34 players that have ever accomplished a feat of such impressive magnitude on your team is a pretty serious advantage.
    Jackson Roberts, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Portion.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/portion. Accessed 13 Sep. 2025.

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