part 1 of 3

part

2 of 3

adverb

part

3 of 3

verb

1
as in to separate
to go or move in different directions from a central point after traveling together for three weeks, we parted at Rome

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2
3
4

Synonym Chooser

How is the word part distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of part are division, fragment, member, piece, portion, section, and segment. While all these words mean "something less than the whole," part is a general term appropriate when indefiniteness is required.

they ran only part of the way

In what contexts can division take the place of part?

The meanings of division and part largely overlap; however, division applies to a large or diversified part.

the manufacturing division of the company

When might fragment be a better fit than part?

The words fragment and part 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 could member be used to replace part?

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

a structural member

When would piece be a good substitute for part?

Although the words piece and part have much in common, piece applies to a separate or detached part of a whole.

a puzzle with 500 pieces

Where would portion be a reasonable alternative to part?

The synonyms portion and part are sometimes interchangeable, but portion implies an assigned or allotted part.

cut the pie into six portions

When is section a more appropriate choice than part?

While the synonyms section and part are close in meaning, section applies to a relatively small or uniform part.

the entertainment section of the newspaper

When is it sensible to use segment instead of part?

In some situations, the words segment and part 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

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 part
Noun
Authorities have executed as many as three search warrants in New York as part of their investigation, sources tell CNN. Dalia Faheid, CNN, 15 Dec. 2024 The map highlighted Ukraine, but did not include the Crimean Peninsula as part of the country's territory. Stephan Pechdimaldji, Newsweek, 15 Dec. 2024
Adverb
François Girard’s take — part mysterious, part mystifying — on Wagner’s last opera is one of the Met’s most interesting productions of the last decade or so, and returns for the first time since its premiere in 2013. David Allen, New York Times, 1 Feb. 2018
Verb
Community knows community, and Leighton’s parting gift to Kimberly is to send them off in a corner for a make out at the frat party. Christina Grace Tucker, Vulture, 28 Nov. 2024 Is Dutton's treatment a parting salvo or steeped in the feud between the show's only writer and its former star? Bryan Alexander, USA TODAY, 25 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for part 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for part
Noun
  • Featuring culturally relevant food icons and portion lines for different age groups, the simple bowl and spoon sets improve meal planning and feeding.
    Cynthia Tully, Forbes, 9 Dec. 2024
  • The civil war forced millions of Syrians to flee their country, making up a significant portion of the over one million people who journeyed to Germany and neighboring Austria during the European migration crisis of 2015 and 2016.
    Paul Du Quenoy, Newsweek, 9 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • Deutsche Bank also raised its price target for Tesla shares to $370 from $295.
    Rachael Levy, USA TODAY, 11 Dec. 2024
  • The former Dancing with the Stars contestant shares Stella, Liam Aaron, 17, Hattie Margaret, 13, Finn Davey, 12, and Beau Dean, 7, with her estranged husband Dean McDermott.
    Angel Saunders, People.com, 11 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • On this day in 1799: Founding Father George Washington, America’s first president who served in that role from 1789-1797 after leading the colonial armies in the Revolutionary War, died at his Mount Vernon home in Virginia at age 67.
    The Arizona Republic, The Arizona Republic, 14 Dec. 2024
  • Chile banned deep sea trawling in 2016—a decision that may possibly have played a role in helping conserve the explosion of creatures found on its seamounts.
    Scott Travers, Forbes, 14 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • That evening, in the no man’s land, a field strewn with empty water bottles, four Shia families sat on a picnic blanket around a burner attached to a gas tank, looking scared and drinking yerba mate.
    Eliza Griswold, The New Yorker, 17 Dec. 2024
  • Barriers To New Development: Is there available land nearby, and what are the entitlement barriers to building competing shopping centers?
    Mike Hazinski, Forbes, 17 Dec. 2024
Adverb
  • Mexico Could Try To Strike A Better Immigration Bargain For Its Citizens The Mexican government cooperated with the Biden administration, in part because U.S. government officials met them halfway.
    Stuart Anderson, Forbes, 26 Nov. 2024
  • Another key conflict resolution skill is learning to meet halfway.
    Jenna Ryu, SELF, 25 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • Then the pilots flew over the Río de la Plata, the wide estuary separating Argentina and Uruguay.
    Joshua Hammer, Smithsonian Magazine, 12 Dec. 2024
  • Entrepreneurs often face the daunting task of separating their emotional attachment to the business from its financial valuation.
    Sara Khaki, Forbes, 12 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • The team’s pattern of drafting college hitters who should move quickly says that that is not their mindset, so go spend some of Arte’s money.
    Keith Law, The Athletic, 11 Dec. 2024
  • Staple explained his goal for the partnership is to continue moving fashion into the future and to utilize technologies to improve the customer experience.
    Layla Ilchi, WWD, 10 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • And the House Democratic caucus has been divided over whether to touch the minimum wage and paid sick leave laws.
    Arpan Lobo, Detroit Free Press, 14 Dec. 2024
  • At the time, the three-story building was divided into two units: a one-bedroom, one-bathroom unit where Barack lived, and a two-bedroom, one-and-a-half bathroom duplex above.
    Joyce Chen, Architectural Digest, 13 Dec. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near part

Cite this Entry

“Part.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/part. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.

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