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
Gateway officials said preliminary work on the riverbed portion of the tunnel is expected to start within months. Evan Simko-Bednarski, New York Daily News, 28 Apr. 2026 Since Lover, Swift has come and gone with relative ease, doling out generous portions of concerts and documentaries and behind-the-scenes looks and then going away for months at a time. Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 28 Apr. 2026
Verb
Inside, Bob McCarthy portioned out the dinners into takeout containers. Emily M. Olson, Hartford Courant, 18 Mar. 2026 But portioning the layered dish into individual servings before cooking and steaming it on the stovetop? Gretchen McKay, Boston Herald, 11 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for portion
Recent Examples of Synonyms for portion
Noun
  • What are the pros and cons of the ways filmmakers can take their destiny into their own hands?
    Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 29 Apr. 2026
  • Beyond blood, these women are tied together by destiny and the decisions of the violent and tyrannical men surrounding them.
    Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 29 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • New York Mets legends Gary Carter and Bud Harrelson both managed the team, with the latter also being a part-owner.
    Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 27 Apr. 2026
  • The recruitment has been part of that — Leipzig bought well and sold the players who needed to leave — but Werner has handled a young squad particularly well, minimising the volatility that was such a feature of their football last season.
    Sebastian Stafford-Bloor, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Sports Edition Coach — a spot to gather clues and discuss (and share) scores.
    Mark Cooper, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2026
  • Meta shares were effectively unchanged by the news.
    ABC News, ABC News, 27 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • The same survey was distributed April 8 to attendees of a community meeting at Markham courthouse, which drew more than 100 attendees in person and online, according to the county.
    Evy Lewis, Chicago Tribune, 27 Apr. 2026
  • Behind the scenes, the hotel team reduces food waste through a number of initiatives, including distributing unused food to those in need through partnerships with local associations.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 27 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • The memory of the botched attempt against the Patriots definitely didn't help his cause, either, as the team decided his fate.
    Armando Salguero OutKick, FOXNews.com, 28 Apr. 2026
  • Riley sails on, prow forward, fighting to avoid the Imagination’s unceremonious fate, not quitting, not wishing to be retired, but battling time.
    Greg Cote April 28, Miami Herald, 28 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • The area Surrounded by a ripple of hills in a relatively unknown section of the Serengeti National Park, there’s little risk of bumping into another vehicle close to camp.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 24 Apr. 2026
  • Assaidi lives in the Morris Park section of the Bronx, according to cops.
    Rebecca White, New York Daily News, 24 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • The roughly 3,280-square-foot home has four bedrooms and four and a half baths, with proportions that feel true to its loft roots.
    Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 27 Apr. 2026
  • Prada 2 is tracking to be a hit of record-breaking proportions and reunites Hathaway with Meryl Streep, Stanley Tucci and Emily Blunt.
    Pamela McClintock, HollywoodReporter, 26 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • If anything, great public pressure being brought to bear is a terrible reason to dispense with due-process protections designed to protect the legal rights of individuals, and crafting one exception would seem to create a precedent for crafting others.
    Jon Allsop, New Yorker, 24 Apr. 2026
  • Theater owners cut prices and dispensed prizes to ticket buyers as the gangsters effectively cross-pollinated with the studio dance numbers.
    Peter Bart, Deadline, 23 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Portion.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/portion. Accessed 1 May. 2026.

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