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
However, doing so risks sacrificing some portion of local media rights revenue—last year, local media revenue contributed 10% of teams’ overall take. — Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 23 Oct. 2026 The Gables gets a large portion of its revenue from property taxes. — Michelle Marchante, Miami Herald, 23 Oct. 2026
Verb
There are even measurement markings inside the bowl to make portioning ingredients easier, and the bowls nest inside each other for more compact storage. — Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Sep. 2026 Howrey’s own politics are here — feminist, environmentalist, activist — but believably portioned out to her characters. — Meredith Maran, Los Angeles Times, 8 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for portion
Recent Examples of Synonyms for portion
Noun
  • Berryman’s own father had committed suicide, and the thought that this was somehow to be his destiny too haunted him.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 20 Oct. 2026
  • However, her portrayal of the tragic villain in Flanagan’s adaptation of King’s Carrie felt like a stroke of destiny.
    — Lexy Perez, HollywoodReporter, 19 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Spending spree The grimiest part of the whole race, said Roseann Kennedy in Estadão (São Paulo), was the vast spending spree Lula went on after losing the first round.
    — The Week UK, TheWeek, 31 Oct. 2026
  • The hotel is part lodging, part social club, and 100 percent focused on catering to a certain type of hard-charging, outdoor enthusiast.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 31 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Over the past two months, amid efforts to find what could be more than $20 billion to recapitalize insurance funds, Walter has sold his controlling interest in the Lakers and a minority share of Chelsea, the English Premier League club.
    — Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 24 Oct. 2026
  • The share of Americans who rate their lives 7 to 10 out of 10 barely moved, while the average fell more steeply.
    — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • The procedural dispute centers on a requirement to distribute amendment text to circuit court clerks for public posting, which lawmakers retroactively repealed.
    — Gabrielle M. Etzel, The Washington Examiner, 30 Oct. 2026
  • The combination of large-scale pre-training, distributed post-training and feedback-driven learning after deployment forms the basis of GO-3 Preview.
    — Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 30 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Finn Gomez / Getty Voters in more than three dozen states will determine the fate of nearly 150 ballot measures on Election Day that will shape local policy on a wide range of issues.
    — Kayla Hayempour, NBC news, 26 Oct. 2026
  • There’s this connection between Americans’ lack of control right now and leaving their fates in the hands of others.
    — Maria Bamford, Vulture, 26 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Though this section feels lighter, the music remains dense, one swarming mass of sound traveling toward ecstasy.
    — Vanessa Ague, Pitchfork, 29 Oct. 2026
  • Staff was also critical of the quality of materials on a section of the tower.
    — Susannah Bryan, Sun Sentinel, 29 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • This cathode-material combination uses a higher proportion of manganese and less cobalt and nickel, enabling an attractive balance between energy density and cost.
    — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 29 Oct. 2026
  • The larger proportions are more in line with those of the shoe in its earlier lifespan, a detail that hadn’t gone unnoticed among Air Max fanatics over the years.
    — Ian Servantes, Footwear News, 28 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Reaching stratospheric financial targets requires launching incredible numbers of Starlink and Starmind satellites, all of which can be dispensed like Pez candy into space.
    — Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 29 Oct. 2026
  • The nozzle is also very slim, which helps the liquidy formula dispense more precisely onto my fingers without running everywhere.
    — Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 28 Oct. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Portion.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/portion. Accessed 31 Oct. 2026.

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