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
Other at-risk areas included portions of San Bernardino, Inyo and Cleveland national forests as well as BLM land in the Mojave Desert, such as Coyote Dry Lake Bed outside of Joshua Tree National Park. Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 25 June 2025 The Highlands Community Charter Schools’ student population in Sacramento serves a large portion Afghan refugees who do not speak English. Ishani Desai, Sacbee.com, 25 June 2025
Verb
There are generously portioned, made-to-order sandwiches and crisp sourdough focaccia that is worth eating on its own. Lindsey Tramuta, Bon Appetit Magazine, 7 May 2025 Portion Generously: Ditch the cookie scoop and portion the dough into 1/3 cup balls. Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 2 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for portion
Recent Examples of Synonyms for portion
Noun
  • The United States should do more to empower Iranians to determine their destiny.
    Felice Friedson, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 June 2025
  • Goldwater wouldn’t manifest that destiny, but Reagan, 16 years later, took this vision of fiscal conservatism to the White House.
    Drew Kurlowski, The Conversation, 25 June 2025
Noun
  • How to get involved Liz Ceballos, a retail manager with decades of experience, helps Capsule vendors grow their businesses and become part of the community of Miami entrepreneurs.
    Michael Butler, Miami Herald, 19 June 2025
  • The strike on Soroka Medical Center, in the city of Beersheba, was part of a wider barrage from Iran, hitting neighborhoods in Tel Aviv, including Holon and Ramat Gan.
    Callum Sutherland, Time, 19 June 2025
Noun
  • CarMax reported its 2025 first quarter earnings, causing a rise in share price.
    Charles Singh, USA Today, 26 June 2025
  • The Sycamore deal, which pays $11.45 per share — 29% above the December stock price — comes after years of Walgreens’ pharmacy closings and plummeting stock in part due to a disastrous rollout of clinics attached to stores.
    Bruce Japsen, Forbes.com, 26 June 2025
Verb
  • Additional support in Smart Wing Tec distributes breast weight evenly, reducing pressure points.
    Yola Robert, Forbes.com, 26 June 2025
  • Israel says Hamas steals and sells food from the U.N. and other traditional aid agencies, and that GHF distributes food to civilians under Israeli military supervision without Hamas involvement.
    Daniel Estrin, NPR, 26 June 2025
Noun
  • With the Fed usually circumspect about its outlook, investors often hope to divine some greater understanding about the fate of the U.S. economy.
    Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 18 June 2025
  • The fate of Iran and its nuclear ambitions have unexpectedly reemerged – along with the Arctic, economic cooperation and space exploration – as yet another area of potential common interest.
    Matthew Chance, CNN Money, 18 June 2025
Noun
  • Three sections of the roof at Seabrook Brothers & Sons caved in around 1:30 p.m., NJ.com reported.
    Joseph Wilkinson, New York Daily News, 26 June 2025
  • His eyes dart over to a curtained section of the wall.
    Rachel Raposas, People.com, 26 June 2025
Noun
  • The human toll runs deep as three-quarters say losing Medicaid would severely harm their financial well-being, with similar proportions reporting devastating effects on their quality of life, mental health and physical health.
    Martha McHardy, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 June 2025
  • UEs kept 2x – 7x the proportion of wealth created by delaying or avoiding VC.
    Dileep Rao, Forbes.com, 17 June 2025
Verb
  • Gi-hun’s Kill Count Plenty of players are content to dispense with societal decorum and start fully murdering each other in the Games — but not Gi-hun.
    Proma Khosla, IndieWire, 18 June 2025
  • Now, Israel may be happy to dispense with its Patriots without acknowledgment.
    Paul Iddon, Forbes.com, 15 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Portion.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/portion. Accessed 2 Jul. 2025.

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