SECTION Synonyms: 109 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

section 1 of 2

noun

ˈsek-shən

Definition of section next

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

Relevance

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

as in to part

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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 section

Noun

In one section of 16 players, there are four Grand Slam champions (Gauff, Kenin, Osaka, Ostapenko), two Grand Slam finalists (Muchova and Leylah Fernandez) and an Olympic gold medalist (Belinda Bencic). —

Charlie Eccleshare, The Athletic, 9 Jan. 2025 Further details are provided in the System Upgrade Persistence section. —

Dan Goodin, Ars Technica, 9 Jan. 2025

Verb

Your natural hair is sectioned into smaller parts and pressed in between two wefts of hair extensions. —

Jazmine Boutte, StyleCaster, 7 Oct. 2024 The lineup is sectioned into galas, signature screenings, special presentation, professional and student competition films, Docs to Watch, Pixels and Pencils, and the Behind the Lens and Below the Line panel series. —

Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 4 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for section

Recent Examples of Synonyms for section

Noun

One photograph, from the Myeongdong shopping district, is nearly all wall, a plane of battered brick and concrete.

E. Tammy Kim, The New Yorker, 18 Jan. 2025
Final touches Tim Witkowski, Aramark’s district manager for the Kansas City region, said the last 24 hours before the game is spent putting the final touches around Arrowhead.

Joseph Hernandez, Kansas City Star, 18 Jan. 2025