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

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
Flu In North Atlanta, a large portion of the population gets the flu vaccine, which helps slow the virus’s spread compared to communities with lower vaccination rates, Nadolne said. Rachel Brown Kirkland, AJC.com, 21 Apr. 2026 Instead of being somewhere in Detroit, strategizing with the coaching staff about adjustments for the next game in a playoff series with the Pistons, Jeff Peterson spent a portion of Monday morning on a dais. Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 21 Apr. 2026
Verb
For the fastest possible morning, prep individual freezer bags with the fruit and spinach portioned out ahead of time. Allison Palmer, Sacbee.com, 10 Mar. 2026 These personally portioned chicken pot pies ensure everyone gets the same amount of comfort food. Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 5 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for portion
Recent Examples of Synonyms for portion
Noun
  • God truly blessed us with a love that feels like destiny.
    Courtney Young, PEOPLE, 20 Apr. 2026
  • Diet shapes destiny The dietary changes in the East African Rift Valley over the past 4 million years, documented through tooth enamel, are providing important clues for reconstructing the environment in which humans’ ancestors lived and how those environments changed.
    Zelalem Bedaso, The Conversation, 17 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Lotte Wubben-Moy A very good season with Arsenal, in part thanks to Williamson’s injury problems, means she was trusted to start against Spain, and Wubben-Moy performed excellently.
    Megan Feringa, New York Times, 20 Apr. 2026
  • Japan agreed on April 18 on a deal to provide Australia's navy with the first of almost a dozen stealth frigates, part of a wider military build up by Canberra aimed at boosting its long-range firepower to deter China.
    Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 20 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Mom and daughter share adoring glances at an event to celebrate International Women's Day in London.
    Kate Hogan, PEOPLE, 21 Apr. 2026
  • The playoffs have delivered their share of Knicks villains over the years, from Reggie Miller to Joel Embiid to Tyrese Haliburton.
    Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 21 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • The Department of Education exists, to a large extent, to distribute education funds authorized by Congress.
    Zach Helfand, New Yorker, 20 Apr. 2026
  • The northwest suburban village has closed Cornish Park, and has distributed about 5,000 sandbags — with more available to those who need it.
    Natalie McMillan, CBS News, 20 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • The fate of Iran’s nuclear material will remain a key sticking point in negotiations.
    Anniek Bao, CNBC, 21 Apr. 2026
  • Same sentences for all The fates of the detainees are now being decided in mass trials, with anonymous judges handing down one-size-fit-all punishments to large groups of defendants following the proceedings via video-link from prison.
    CBS News, CBS News, 21 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Their remains have been moved across the street to another section of the graveyard.
    ABC News, ABC News, 18 Apr. 2026
  • The collapse happened at the CHOP parking garage under construction on the 3000 block of Grays Ferry Avenue on April 8 during the installation of a precast concrete section, according to Parker.
    Tom Ignudo, CBS News, 17 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • As noted in a report from TWZ, the aircraft’s proportions indicate it is sized to fit within the constraints of a supercarrier deck while carrying a substantial weapons load.
    Chris Young, Interesting Engineering, 21 Apr. 2026
  • In this game, a Proposer is given a sum of money and invited to choose in what proportion to split it with a Receiver.
    Nikhil Krishnan, New Yorker, 20 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • The trailer then came apart, dispensing much of the cargo of iced tea beverages on the road, as the truck bounced off the wall and across the other lane of traffic into and through the guardrail.
    Logan Smith, CBS News, 17 Apr. 2026
  • In the Chicago area, Mothers’ Milk Bank of the Western Great Lakes screens, tests and processes donated milk before dispensing it to hospitals.
    Alexander Crider, Chicago Tribune, 17 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Portion.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/portion. Accessed 23 Apr. 2026.

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