MEMBER Synonyms: 52 Similar and Opposite Words

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

Some common synonyms of member are division , fragment , part , piece , portion , section , and segment . While all these words mean "something less than the whole," member suggests one of the functional units composing a body. // a structural member

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

While in some cases nearly identical to member , division applies to a large or diversified part. // the manufacturing division of the company

Q: When is 'fragment' a more appropriate choice than 'member'?

Although the words fragment and member have much in common, fragment applies to a part produced by or as if by breaking off. // only a fragment of the play still exists

Q: When is it sensible to use 'part' instead of 'member'?

The words part and member are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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 'member'?

While the synonyms piece and member are close in meaning, piece applies to a separate or detached part of a whole. // a puzzle with 500 pieces

Q: Where would 'portion' be a reasonable alternative to 'member'?

In some situations, the words portion and member are roughly equivalent. However, portion implies an assigned or allotted part. // cut the pie into six portions

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

The words section and member can be used in similar contexts, but section applies to a relatively small or uniform part. // the entertainment section of the newspaper

Q: When might 'segment' be a better fit than 'member'?

The meanings of segment and member largely overlap; 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

member

noun

ˈmem-bər

Definition of member

as in component

one of the parts that make up a whole you're only one member of this group effort

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in portion

one of the pieces from which something is designed to be assembled lost an indispensable member of the model airplane kit

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word member distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of member are division, fragment, part, piece, portion, section, and segment. While all these words mean "something less than the whole," member suggests one of the functional units composing a body.

a structural member

In what contexts can division take the place of member?

While in some cases nearly identical to member, division applies to a large or diversified part.

the manufacturing division of the company

When is fragment a more appropriate choice than member?

Although the words fragment and member have much in common, fragment applies to a part produced by or as if by breaking off.

only a fragment of the play still exists

When is it sensible to use part instead of member?

The words part and member are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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 member?

While the synonyms piece and member are close in meaning, piece applies to a separate or detached part of a whole.

a puzzle with 500 pieces

Where would portion be a reasonable alternative to member?

In some situations, the words portion and member are roughly equivalent. However, portion implies an assigned or allotted part.

cut the pie into six portions

When can section be used instead of member?

The words section and member can be used in similar contexts, but section applies to a relatively small or uniform part.

the entertainment section of the newspaper

When might segment be a better fit than member?

The meanings of segment and member largely overlap; 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 member According to her defense, Bland was experiencing hallucinations and believed she was being instructed to baptize her family members. — Robert McGreevy, FOXNews.com, 2 July 2026 There were few professional doctors, so healthcare came from midwives, bonesetters who also cut hair and removed cataracts, ministers, and community members, including apothecaries and plantation root doctors who were knowledgeable about plants. — Katherine Ott, The Conversation, 2 July 2026 As the story plays out, Enola must embrace being a member of the Holmes family — which also includes her mother Eudoria (Helena Bonham Carter) — by stepping up to the plate and coming to her brother's rescue. — Caroline Blair, PEOPLE, 2 July 2026 The historic celebration, watched by hundreds of millions, had Hollywood appeal, welcoming Serena Williams, Idris Elba, David and Victoria Beckham and George Clooney, in addition to the royal family members in attendance. — Taijuan Moorman, USA Today, 3 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for member

Recent Examples of Synonyms for member

Noun

Parker does not carry a cosmic dust detector, and that's because until now dust has not been considered a serious component of the solar atmosphere.

— Keith Cooper, Space.com, 7 July 2026
Assuming the battery is fine (and all the other electrical components and solder have survived the long journey through time), how will the iPhone be activated?

— Ewan Spence, Forbes.com, 6 July 2026

Definition of component

Noun

An extreme heat warning was in effect through Independence Day weekend across portions of the Midwest, South and Northeast, with New York City‘s Central Park reaching 100 on Thursday, the hottest temperature recorded there since July 18, 2012.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026
Multiple British media outlets, including the BBC, reported Monday, July 6, that the estranged prince would be staying at Buckingham Palace during the London portion of his visit the the United Kingdom.

— Jennifer Hassan, USA Today, 6 July 2026

Definition of portion

Noun

The space is a balance between tropical escape and late-night lounge, with moody lighting, sexy design elements and music that keeps the energy elevated throughout the evening.

— Blair Crosby, AJC.com, 5 July 2026
The Samba sneakers add a sporty element, while proving to be comfortable and easy to walk around in around New York City.

— Reece Andavolgyi, InStyle, 5 July 2026

Definition of element

Noun

To Siebel Newsom, the critiques of her work and the federal probe are part of a broader hounding of women who enter the public sphere.

— Jenny Jarvie Follow, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2026
Malik Tillman stepped up and coolly scored on the free kick, his shot deflecting into the net off a Belgian player who was jumping as part of a wall.

— Andrew Greif, NBC news, 7 July 2026

Definition of part

Noun

State leaders pointed to existing defense assets, manufacturing capacity, and workforce as key factors in attracting the company.

— Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 4 July 2026
For instance, France is favored more by markets, reflecting factors beyond pure team strength, while Argentina and Morocco show higher probabilities in the FIFA model.

— Giovanni Malloy, Forbes.com, 4 July 2026

Definition of factor

Noun

As the music builds, entire sections of the crowd rise to their feet, clapping, chanting and dancing together.

— Ayushi Shah, CNN Money, 4 July 2026
The elevated section of the cabin also features a large rooftop terrace, ideal for enjoying the sun during the day, or sleeping under the stars at night.

— Bridget Borgobello July 03, New Atlas, 4 July 2026

Definition of section

Noun

Rob, who died in December at age 78, portrayed George Washington in a segment inspired by the first president’s decision to step away after two terms in office.

— Deirdre Durkan, PEOPLE, 7 July 2026
Standalone segments in the anthology will focus on different objects, entities or events under the containment-breach narrative.

— Mya Copeland, Variety, 6 July 2026

Definition of segment

Browse Nearby Words

melts down

member

members

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“Member.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/member. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of member

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