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
Before shelling out a significant portion of their cash for a diamond engagement ring or other fine jewelry, purchasers depended on conventional jewelers for in-person assurance for decades. Lyssanoel Frater, USA Today, 6 Nov. 2025 That portion represented about one-quarter of voters, according to the poll. Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 6 Nov. 2025
Verb
However, either nut can fit into a balanced, nutritious diet and can support weight control when portioned mindfully. Jillian Kubala, Health, 17 Sep. 2025 Once cooled, portion the dish into individual servings. Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 15 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for portion
Recent Examples of Synonyms for portion
Noun
  • Dek is now free to fulfil his own destiny.
    Sergio Pereira, Space.com, 4 Nov. 2025
  • However, destiny has one more surprise in store.
    Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 4 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • Trump had previously signaled openness to allowing Nvidia to sell its advanced Blackwell AI chip to China as part of his trade war truce with Beijing.
    Diane Brady, Fortune, 4 Nov. 2025
  • The affair has become a part of a larger attack on Israel’s judiciary from Netanyahu’s coalition.
    Tal Shalev, CNN Money, 4 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • The Qatari company also owns a 25% share of the International Airlines Group, the parent of British Airways, Spain’s Iberia, Ireland’s Aer Lingus and other, lower-cost carriers.
    John Liu, CNN Money, 6 Nov. 2025
  • The five companies with the largest share of SNAP recipient households on their payrolls in Arkansas were Walmart, McDonald's, Dollar General, Sonic and Tyson Foods.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 6 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • The Barnhills decided to begin distributing food directly to people who had suddenly lost their SNAP benefits.
    Daniel McFadin, Arkansas Online, 4 Nov. 2025
  • So Thorington and Beyer were outliers, who distributed independently.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 4 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • In other words, investors might bail on companies such as Nvidia, Oracle, and CoreWeave, whose fates are deemed too closely tied up with OpenAI’s.
    Sharon Goldman, Fortune, 5 Nov. 2025
  • Hekate is the goddess of fate and the night, who is grossly misunderstood throughout history.
    Amber McBride, Literary Hub, 5 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • The novel’s composition is remarkable for the unusual way its eight sections tangentially revolve around the narrator, a West African man named Tunde.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 3 Nov. 2025
  • The Russian presence appears to have alienated large sections of Mali’s population.
    Tim Lister, CNN Money, 2 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • The design commands attention with its dramatic proportions.
    Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 6 Nov. 2025
  • Sweeney’s look played with proportions, with the leg-hugging footwear offsetting her oversized ensemble.
    Kelsey Stewart, Footwear News, 6 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • Its battery reportedly supplies enough power to dispense two full truckloads of fuel.
    Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 7 Nov. 2025
  • This was followed by a bunch of other rules about how to load the washing machine, the correct water temperature to use, and how much detergent to dispense into each load.
    Jolie Kerr, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Nov. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Portion.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/portion. Accessed 8 Nov. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on portion

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