section 1 of 2

1
as in district
an area (as of a city) set apart for some purpose or having some special feature several abandoned warehouses in the city's industrial section are being converted into art galleries and artists' lofts

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in portion
one of the pieces from which something is designed to be assembled had trouble fitting the sections of the bookcase together

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

section

2 of 2

verb

Synonym Chooser

How is the word section distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of section are division, fragment, member, part, piece, portion, and segment. While all these words mean "something less than the whole," section applies to a relatively small or uniform part.

the entertainment section of the newspaper

In what contexts can division take the place of section?

Although the words division and section have much in common, division applies to a large or diversified part.

the manufacturing division of the company

When is it sensible to use fragment instead of section?

The words fragment and section are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, fragment applies to a part produced by or as if by breaking off.

only a fragment of the play still exists

When is member a more appropriate choice than section?

While in some cases nearly identical to section, member suggests one of the functional units composing a body.

a structural member

When can part be used instead of section?

The synonyms part and section are sometimes interchangeable, but part is a general term appropriate when indefiniteness is required.

they ran only part of the way

When would piece be a good substitute for section?

The words piece and section can be used in similar contexts, but piece applies to a separate or detached part of a whole.

a puzzle with 500 pieces

When could portion be used to replace section?

While the synonyms portion and section are close in meaning, portion implies an assigned or allotted part.

cut the pie into six portions

When might segment be a better fit than section?

In some situations, the words segment and section are roughly equivalent. However, segment applies to a part separated or marked out by or as if by natural lines of cleavage.

the retired segment of the population

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 section
Noun
The thinking applies not only to Walmart, but to its primary rival Target, which is building a half-dozen new stores around the state including in Fort Lauderdale’s Uptown section at Cypress Creek Station. David Lyons, The Orlando Sentinel, 2 June 2025 In addition to drug and gun crimes, Rosen took on responsibility for the section handling Jan. 6 cases. Scott MacFarlane, CBS News, 2 June 2025
Verb
With over 250 games including various slot types, table games and live dealer titles sectioned under easy-to-find categories. Matthew Gover, Miami Herald, 6 Jan. 2025 Other primary attractions include exclusive jackpot titles, a large selection of the best online slots and table games sectioned under multiple categories. Matthew Gover, Miami Herald, 6 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for section
Recent Examples of Synonyms for section
Noun
  • This story has been updated to note that the dance was not sponsored by the school district but occurred on school grounds, according to a statement from the district.
    Kate Linderman, Kansas City Star, 30 May 2025
  • Then in early 2021, just a few weeks into his term, President Joe Biden’s administration withdrew support for the lawsuit and rescinded the Education Department’s threats to cut funding to the districts.
    Jessika Harkay, Hartford Courant, 29 May 2025
Noun
  • Musk has also sought to operate Starlink, his satellite-internet company, in South Africa, but has balked at a law requiring foreign tech firms to sell a portion of their local subsidiaries to shareholders who are Black or historically disadvantaged.
    Jonathan Blitzer, New Yorker, 1 June 2025
  • Both renditions incorporated portions of the original Addams Family theme song.
    Walden Green, Pitchfork, 1 June 2025
Verb
  • Sitting cross-legged on the floor while her scalp was parted and pulled by a cousin, an auntie, someone who loved her.
    Ruhama Wolle, Vogue, 22 May 2025
  • The crowd parted, and a tiny woman with a big smile emerged.
    Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 May 2025
Noun
  • Beyond Seongnam’s working-class neighborhoods, Lee has provoked in many an equally intense dislike — a fact that cannot be explained by his policies alone.
    Max Kim, Los Angeles Times, 3 June 2025
  • The study also showed larger effects in neighborhoods with more vegetation or more economic disadvantages, as well as among people who have smoked at any point in their life.
    Jamie Hailstone, Forbes.com, 3 June 2025
Noun
  • Mulaney recently told Rolling Stone that the music segments of the talk show are his favorite part.
    Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 29 May 2025
  • What To Know The construction procurement milestone allows Estonia's 215-kilometer portion of Rail Baltica to proceed, though the final construction relies on Latvia and Lithuania also delivering their segments of the rail.
    Theo Burman, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 May 2025
Verb
  • Airlines also often try to separate business travelers from leisure travelers, because business travelers are typically less price sensitive.
    Zach Wichter, USA Today, 4 June 2025
  • There was gold but also plenty of garbage, with little time to separate the two.
    Son Nguyen, Forbes.com, 4 June 2025
Noun
  • The eventful first period continued with a pass across the offensive zone from Eetu Luostarinen to Seth Jones, and Jones scored on a wide-open net to tie the game at two.
    Adam Lichtenstein, Sun Sentinel, 7 June 2025
  • Butterfly ginger is reliably hardy in zones 8 to 10 and can successfully be overwintered in zone 7 gardens beneath a heavy blanket of mulch.
    Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 6 June 2025
Verb
  • So, while deals are still being done, the market landscape is fragmented, with varying pockets of strength and weakness depending on the attributes of individual properties.
    John Walkup, Forbes.com, 3 June 2025
  • On that occasion, pundits and commentators walked out in support of him, and the BBC sports schedule was fragmented for a whole weekend.
    Caroline Frost, Deadline, 26 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Section.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/section. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.

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