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
Reductions to the federal health care program for low-income people threaten a large portion of Foundations Health and Wholeness, a nonprofit that provides mental health care to uninsured and underinsured individuals, many of whom rely on Medicaid as a source of health coverage. Janelle Mella, jsonline.com, 18 July 2025 If the agreement clearly states that the broker will receive a portion of the deposit in the event of a buyer’s default, then the broker may have a valid claim. Gary Singer, Sun Sentinel, 17 July 2025
Verb
After its time in bourbon casks, the whiskey was portioned into: French Muscat casks, which added floral and earthy notes—lavender, honey, even something savory. Emily Price, Forbes.com, 4 June 2025 Instead, try using small bags or containers to portion high-calorie snacks you may be tempted to splurge on.9 8. Megan Nunn, Verywell Health, 3 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for portion
Recent Examples of Synonyms for portion
Noun
  • Across Europe, renewables surged dramatically in 2024; the war in Ukraine has pushed the Continent toward controlling its own energy destiny.
    Bill McKibben, New Yorker, 9 July 2025
  • What’s surprising is the utter disregard — willfully or naively — for blatant flaws in the communist worldview, where Big Government controls our destiny at the expense of a free market that made New York prosperous and appealing to college graduates in the first place.
    Luka Ladan, New York Daily News, 5 July 2025
Noun
  • Wednesday’s auction is part of Sotheby’s Geek Week 2025 and features 122 items, including other meteorites, fossils and gem-quality minerals.
    Dave Collins, Chicago Tribune, 13 July 2025
  • What really stopped the panic, more than Morgan’s intervention, was the issue on the part of private clearinghouse banks of scrip payable to other members of the banking associations.
    Brian Domitrovic, Forbes.com, 13 July 2025
Noun
  • Lawyers, similar to professionals in other disciplines, have committed their share of transgressions.
    Blake D. Morant, Forbes.com, 8 July 2025
  • Prior to the bankruptcy filing, however, there were a number of indicators that Merit TV was undergoing a rocky start to its life — even putting aside the questionable notion of launching a linear TV venture in a time when streaming is the default option for the largest share of viewers.
    Rick Porter, HollywoodReporter, 8 July 2025
Verb
  • It will be distributed inside Gate A, the Royals said.
    Pete Grathoff July 8, Kansas City Star, 8 July 2025
  • The uncertain state of Tehran highlights the trickiness of distributing a TV show ripped from geopolitical headlines — particularly when that distributor has a much larger business around the world than just airing television shows.
    Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 8 July 2025
Noun
  • The cloudy days hovering over the fate of the U.S. Airline sector appear to be clearing out, with Delta Air Lines (NYSE: DAL) reporting better-than-expected 2Q 2025 financial results this week.
    Ankita Dhawan, Forbes.com, 12 July 2025
  • For Scotty, a young puppy facing a grim fate, time was running out.
    Maria Morava, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 July 2025
Noun
  • Each section is stuffed with plush microfiber that makes old mattresses feel soft and comfortable.
    Isabel Garcia, People.com, 9 July 2025
  • The historic burial ground, a roughly 25-acre site made up of four different sections, served as Indianapolis' first cemetery before its closure in the late 19th century.
    Jordan Smith, IndyStar, 9 July 2025
Noun
  • The Guadalupe River swelled to historic and deadly proportions as heavy rainfall doused the region.
    Marc Ramirez, USA Today, 10 July 2025
  • The partnership is a first-of-its-kind but is selective, with Holmes stressing only a tiny proportion of the Disney+ library will move to ITVX and vice versa – totalling around 70 to 100 hours to ITVX at the start and a little more going the other way.
    Max Goldbart, Deadline, 10 July 2025
Verb
  • As Dee and Dennis raced to loot their parents' house, Charlie, Frank, and Mac found that Philly strippers (including future stars Tiffany Haddish and Natasha Leggero) were moved to dispense free lap dances on guys in wheelchairs, a lightbulb moment that ignited the bond between Charlie and Frank.
    Dennis Perkins, EW.com, 10 July 2025
  • The director general of Gaza’s health ministry said the strike hit near a medical center dispensing children’s formula to women.
    Abeer Salman, CNN Money, 10 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Portion.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/portion. Accessed 22 Jul. 2025.

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