DIVISION Synonyms: 186 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'division' distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of division are fragment , member , part , piece , portion , section , and segment . While all these words mean "something less than the whole," division applies to a large or diversified part. // the manufacturing division of the company

Q: When would 'fragment' be a good substitute for 'division'?

While in some cases nearly identical to division , fragment applies to a part produced by or as if by breaking off. // only a fragment of the play still exists

Q: When can 'member' be used instead of 'division'?

While the synonyms member and division are close in meaning, member suggests one of the functional units composing a body. // a structural member

Q: Where would 'part' be a reasonable alternative to 'division'?

The words part and division can be used in similar contexts, but part is a general term appropriate when indefiniteness is required. // they ran only part of the way

Q: In what contexts can 'piece' take the place of 'division'?

In some situations, the words piece and division are roughly equivalent. However, piece applies to a separate or detached part of a whole. // a puzzle with 500 pieces

Q: When is 'portion' a more appropriate choice than 'division'?

Although the words portion and division have much in common, portion implies an assigned or allotted part. // cut the pie into six portions

Q: When could 'section' be used to replace 'division'?

The synonyms section and division are sometimes interchangeable, but section applies to a relatively small or uniform part. // the entertainment section of the newspaper

Q: When is it sensible to use 'segment' instead of 'division'?

The words segment and division are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, segment applies to a part separated or marked out by or as if by natural lines of cleavage. // the retired segment of the population

division

noun

də-ˈvi-zhən

Definition of division next

as in divider

something that divides, separates, or marks off we poked our heads over the division between the yards to see what the fuss was about

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in department

a large unit of a governmental, business, or educational organization the complaints division handled all of the calls from the angry townsfolk

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in category

one of the units into which a whole is divided on the basis of a common characteristic one of the major divisions of birds

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in split

the act or process of a whole separating into two or more parts or pieces the assembly line was a major development in the division of labor among workers

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in distribution

the act or process of giving out something to each member of a group the person in charge of the division of the profits among the business partners

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as in discord

a lack of agreement or harmony that church has been racked by division for some time now, and a split into two denominations seems unavoidable

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word division distinct from other similar nouns?

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

the manufacturing division of the company

When would fragment be a good substitute for division?

While in some cases nearly identical to division, fragment applies to a part produced by or as if by breaking off.

only a fragment of the play still exists

When can member be used instead of division?

While the synonyms member and division are close in meaning, member suggests one of the functional units composing a body.

a structural member

Where would part be a reasonable alternative to division?

The words part and division can be used in similar contexts, but part is a general term appropriate when indefiniteness is required.

they ran only part of the way

In what contexts can piece take the place of division?

In some situations, the words piece and division are roughly equivalent. However, piece applies to a separate or detached part of a whole.

a puzzle with 500 pieces

When is portion a more appropriate choice than division?

Although the words portion and division have much in common, portion implies an assigned or allotted part.

cut the pie into six portions

When could section be used to replace division?

The synonyms section and division are sometimes interchangeable, but section applies to a relatively small or uniform part.

the entertainment section of the newspaper

When is it sensible to use segment instead of division?

The words segment and division are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, segment applies to a part separated or marked out by or as if by natural lines of cleavage.

the retired segment of the population

Examples 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 division The main event will tell us a lot about the immediate future of the UFC’s middleweight division. —

Brian Mazique, Forbes, 14 Dec. 2024 The guest essay marked Witty’s first public comments since last week’s fatal shooting of Thompson, CEO of UnitedHealthcare, a division of UnitedHealth Group and the nation’s largest health insurance provider. —

Jessica Schladebeck, New York Daily News, 13 Dec. 2024 Army football honors 101st Airborne Division with new uniforms George Luz Jr., whose dad served in the 101st airborne division, joined 'Fox & Friends First' to discuss his thoughts on the new uniforms eight decades after D-Day and the Battle of the Bulge. —

Paulina Dedaj, Fox News, 13 Dec. 2024 The New Day’s breakup seemed inevitable as it was set to come at a time when WWE is celebrating its tag-team divisions, with this storyline adding emotional weight to the company’s broader focus. —

Brian Mazique, Forbes, 3 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for division

Recent Examples of Synonyms for division

Noun

Simply unzip its top and the sides fold down, revealing compartments, pouches, and adjustable dividers that keep items organized.

Kiana Murden, Vogue, 6 Dec. 2024
As Architectural Record points out, Ban’s interest in movable design is in reference to Japanese shoji screens, which were traditionally doors or room dividers that could be opened and closed or moved around to easily reconfigure the layout of a space.

Katherine McLaughlin, Architectural Digest, 4 Dec. 2024