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
The collector-distributor road runs parallel to a portion of the interstate to streamline traffic entering I-40. Hadley Hitson, Nashville Tennessean, 23 Oct. 2025 Sylvan Cemetery District, located in Citrus Heights and also serving residents of Orangevale, Antelope, North Highlands, Rio Linda, Elverta and a portion of Natomas, has reported about 16 years of runway. Daniel Lempres, Sacbee.com, 23 Oct. 2025
Verb
For the most part, the Ripper has been background noise on Resurrection, with tidbits being portioned out over the course of the first eight episodes. Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 27 Aug. 2025 Consider prepping and portioning these sides ahead of time to make packing lunches on a busy morning a breeze. Cody Godwin, USA Today, 23 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for portion
Recent Examples of Synonyms for portion
Noun
  • The destiny -- as for the past two-plus decades -- is yet to be determined.
    Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 18 Oct. 2025
  • This American remake of the South Korean drama Il Mare is romantic goo that’s relatively easy to resist, and its ruminations on fate, love, destiny, and luck are all pretty standard for the genre.
    Tim Grierson, Vulture, 18 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • For their part, Max and Christian fight before docking and exchange some F-bombs on the bow just for good measure.
    Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 21 Oct. 2025
  • Some state leaders say the lot isn’t sufficient without state and federal entities doing their part.
    Grace Tucker, Cincinnati Enquirer, 21 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Chelsea, Liverpool, and Aston Villa have been notable proponents of this setup, with last season’s total share of teams employing this system reaching its highest level for a decade.
    Mark Carey, New York Times, 23 Oct. 2025
  • The former couple share daughters Olivia Jade and Isabella Rose Giannulli.
    Madison E. Goldberg, PEOPLE, 23 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The arm uses high-precision torque sensors distributed across its length to detect external forces in real time, adjusting its motion through impedance control for smoother, more natural operations.
    Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 20 Oct. 2025
  • There are many benefits that come with creating a trust fund, such as protecting assets, bypassing probate court, or having a clear direction for how assets are distributed and to whom.
    Mariah Maddox, Parents, 20 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • There’s another element of the current concern regarding due process that relates to the fate of poor Cinna.
    JSTOR Daily, JSTOR Daily, 23 Oct. 2025
  • What kind of fate might audiences expect for him post-finale?
    Abbey White, HollywoodReporter, 22 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The plane's inflatable escape slide was deployed, and the nose and tail sections of the plane separated.
    Charlotte Phillipp, PEOPLE, 20 Oct. 2025
  • The aircraft was left partially submerged with its tail section snapped off, video showed.
    Chris Lau, CNN Money, 20 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The main villa, completed in 2022 by Bernhard Rustige of Ibizaliving, reflects the studio’s signature approach to proportion and calm.
    Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 23 Oct. 2025
  • The magnitude of his passing is of epic proportions, and beyond comprehension.
    Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 23 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • In normal times, the agency acts like a loving but diligent parent, dispensing money at regular intervals to insure the kids don’t spend it all at once.
    Andy Kroll, New Yorker, 17 Oct. 2025
  • These sites cut against the stereotypical image of a critic as an expert dispensing a thumbs-up or thumbs-down like a Roman emperor.
    Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 17 Oct. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Portion.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/portion. Accessed 25 Oct. 2025.

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