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
In February, Martin removed the chief and deputy chief of the Federal Major Crimes section, which oversees cases involving drugs, firearms possession, child exploitation, human trafficking and immigration violations. Andy Kroll, ProPublica, 28 Apr. 2025 Target has restocked its New Arrivals section with hundreds of new fashion pieces just in time for spring and summer. Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 27 Apr. 2025
Verb
While working in sections can feel time-consuming, sectioning your hair at the right point in your routine can save you a lot of time. Annie Blay, Allure, 23 Dec. 2024 Adding contrast to the steel profiles are expansive glass walls and sleek steel racks that section the space into distinct areas for the brand’s latest women’s and men’s ready-to-wear collections, accessories and footwear. Denni Hu, WWD, 13 Dec. 2024 See All Example Sentences for section
Recent Examples of Synonyms for section
Noun
  • The Massapequa school district sued the state, but a federal judge ruled against the district.
    Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 24 Apr. 2025
  • Park district lands grant for garden lot permeable pavers Naperville Park District will use a $785,308 grant to install a permeable paver parking lot at the Ron Ory Community Garden Plots.
    Michelle Mullins, Chicago Tribune, 24 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Vogue may earn a portion of sales from products that are purchased through our site as part of our Affiliate Partnerships with retailers.
    Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 26 Apr. 2025
  • Employer matching contributions – Many employers recognize the importance of helping their employees save for retirement and offer to match a portion of employee 401(k) contributions.
    Rick Unser, Forbes.com, 25 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • As clouds of thick smoke and dust began to part, the horror set in.
    Ashley Killough, CNN Money, 19 Apr. 2025
  • The clouds parted, and Fuji-san emerged to show off its snowcapped peak before the clouds once again obscured it from view, leaving us instead to admire Suruga Bay below.
    Kristen E. Pope, Travel + Leisure, 17 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • In cities that have an uneven distribution of foliage, neighborhoods featuring more greenery can offer a relative cooling effect, enabling residents to better withstand dangerously hot summers.
    Henna Hundal, Forbes.com, 28 Apr. 2025
  • Our friendly neighborhood fence lizard: Why Californians love this reptile.
    Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 27 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • While the podcast segment saw the co-hosts poking fun at his views, the internet did not hold back in its response.
    Amber Corrine, VIBE.com, 23 Apr. 2025
  • Successful storytelling requires finding common ground between audience segments.
    Alison Temple, Forbes.com, 23 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Since our family has been separated, I have been devastated and confused.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Apr. 2025
  • Those who have been separated from their belongings during the shooting will have the opportunity to retrieve them at a later date.
    Emily Shapiro, ABC News, 17 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Chisholm had just struck out looking on a 3-2 pitch that appeared out of the zone, leading to an argument from Chisholm and an attempt at intervention from Aaron Boone.
    Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 18 Apr. 2025
  • The 76-year-old billionaire called for a free trade zone between the EU and the U.S. — echoing similar comments from Elon Musk — and said the current trade tensions could seriously hurt European industries.
    Shannon Carroll, Quartz, 18 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Paula Jo’s is one of the few storylines that remains fragmented by the end of Season 1, which leaves room for twists and turns if the show is greenlit for a second season.
    Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 17 Apr. 2025
  • The rate dropped slightly in 2024, but the violence continues as criminal groups have adapted and fragmented in the wake of a government crackdown.
    Max Saltman, CNN Money, 11 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Section.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/section. Accessed 1 May. 2025.

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