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

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
If portions of the page appear blank and an ad blocker is enabled, please disable the ad blocker and refresh the page to ensure full access to the content. Dom Luszczyszyn, New York Times, 26 May 2026 If there are multiple children, the mandatory reserved portion may increase to two-thirds or even three-quarters of the estate. Virginia La Torre Jeker, Forbes.com, 26 May 2026
Verb
According to the company, the meals are portioned for smaller appetites, provide at least 20 grams (g) of protein, and include nutrients such as vitamin A, vitamin C, calcium, iron, or potassium, depending on the item. Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 23 Apr. 2026 My old colleague Peter Holderith tipped this off a few years ago, actually—that automakers should stop trying to cram every feature into one megascreen and portion them out into localized panels that group similar functions together. Adam Ismail, The Drive, 1 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for portion
Recent Examples of Synonyms for portion
Noun
  • Little did Franco and Beppe know at the time how significantly those clubs would figure in their destiny.
    James Horncastle, New York Times, 27 May 2026
  • People want to control their own destinies.
    Jon Ostenson, Forbes.com, 27 May 2026
Noun
  • Eco effort The coolest part about the construction is that it was built to work with the environment—not against it.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 May 2026
  • While eating dates daily can be part of a balanced diet, experts suggest being mindful of portion size to avoid excessive sugar and carbohydrate intake.
    Cristina Mutchler, Verywell Health, 25 May 2026
Noun
  • Bank of America reiterates Apple as buy Bank of America raised its price target on Apple to $380 per share from $330.
    Michael Bloom, CNBC, 26 May 2026
  • In housing, empty-nest Boomers sit on a disproportionate share of the family-sized homes that millennial parents need but cannot find or afford.
    Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 25 May 2026
Verb
  • On the other side, a Quaker distributes tomahawks to Indigenous men from a barrel marked IP (Israel Pemberton).
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 26 May 2026
  • Newman also said the crisis is unevenly distributed, disproportionately impacting low-income families who can’t afford private tutoring.
    Molly Gibbs, Mercury News, 25 May 2026
Noun
  • But behind every number is a person, a fate, usually of a young man who never got to live his life.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 27 May 2026
  • Getty Images As leaders weigh the impact of AI, from productivity gains to job displacement, the encyclical from Pope Leo XIV has escalated the debate beyond technological capability to the fate of humanity.
    Harry Kraemer, Forbes.com, 26 May 2026
Noun
  • The senior escaped several jams to toss a five-hitter with 12 strikeouts to lead JSerra past La Mirada 3-2 for its first section title.
    Dan Albano, Oc Register, 30 May 2026
  • In the frozen food section, Deep Brands is serving Asian flavors to a diverse customer base that reflects the country, not just an Asian population, according to General Manager Kiernan Laughlin.
    Laya Neelakandan, CNBC, 29 May 2026
Noun
  • Her art also grew larger, occupying monumental proportions for commissions done in the 1980s and ’90s.
    Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 26 May 2026
  • Male players in European soccer leagues receive public recognition for on-field actions in direct proportion to the lightness of their skin.
    Wyatt Williams, Harpers Magazine, 26 May 2026
Verb
  • There are significant worries that AI can readily go off the rails or otherwise dispense unsuitable or even egregiously inappropriate mental health advice.
    Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 28 May 2026
  • Otherwise, medical staff for the school can either write the student a prescription for an off-campus pharmacy or directly dispense the medications to the student.
    Seth Klamann, Denver Post, 28 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Portion.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/portion. Accessed 31 May. 2026.

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