Definition of partnext

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

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 part
Noun
While parts of the Southwest are rocky with little vegetation and are naturally prone to flash flooding, the recent rains made flooding everywhere more likely. — Mead Gruver, Arkansas Online, 24 Oct. 2026 Hedgewood Homes, Third and Urban and DSM Real Estate Partners are also part of the real estate team. — Amy Wenk, AJC.com, 23 Oct. 2026
Adverb
The enclosed chamber offers very good heat regulation with an extruder fan, a part-cooling fan, an auxiliary part-cooling fan, and a fan to regulate the chamber. — PC Magazine, 15 Aug. 2025 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
For the shoot, Chastain swapped her signature red hair for soft blonde waves parted at the center. — Chanel Vargas, InStyle, 8 Oct. 2026 But then, in a moment Bekoff described as straight out of a movie, the clouds parted right as the bridal party headed outside. — Jim Edwards, Fortune, 5 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for part
Recent Examples of Synonyms for part
Noun
  • Shifts among Latino voters, who represent sizable portions of the electorate in both states, and Trump’s sagging approval rating appear to be driving Democrats’ strength in redder areas.
    — Nicholas Wu, semafor.com, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Under these pressures, a portion of cost increases has already transmitted to consumers through fare adjustments.
    — , CNBC, 23 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Over the past two months, amid efforts to find what could be more than $20 billion to recapitalize insurance funds, Walter has sold his controlling interest in the Lakers and a minority share of Chelsea, the English Premier League club.
    — Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 24 Oct. 2026
  • The share of Americans who rate their lives 7 to 10 out of 10 barely moved, while the average fell more steeply.
    — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • The Supreme Court agreed Monday to hear a case about the role race plays in middle school admissions, three years after a majority on the high court struck down affirmative action in college.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 21 Oct. 2026
  • Moore was named the Cougars’ new head coach this past offseason, while Miller left his role as wide receivers coach at Boise State to become offensive coordinator in Pullman; both coaches played together at Boise State in the early 2010s.
    — Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 21 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Especially if the ship is required to counter a mixture of threats from air, sea, and land.
    — Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 24 Oct. 2026
  • And the last independent country in that land before modern Israel, the one Rome conquered, was--wait for it--a Jewish nation.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 23 Oct. 2026
Adverb
  • The state is only halfway to its 2030 target and, at the current pace, may not meet it until 2034; the 2045 goal requires even steeper cuts.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Home Harvest is the latest contender in this indoor smart garden space, with two appliances designed to turn microgreens, herbs, and salads into something halfway between a countertop convenience and a gardening project.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 22 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • The criticism follows Hinson's move to separate herself from the president's handling of the war with Iran late last month.
    — Kaia Hubbard, CBS News, 22 Oct. 2026
  • The Rams last won a district title in 2023, when schools were separated into Metro and Suburban and Seminole went 10-2 in a Metro district.
    — Chris Hays, The Orlando Sentinel, 22 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • The next president may well also have more power to purchase equity stakes; legislation moving through the Senate would give the Pentagon explicit legal authority to do so.
    — Eleanor Mueller, semafor.com, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Ohio Republican gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy is moving forward with a $4 million investment to run an ad featuring Democrat Amy Acton’s estranged mother after the video received fierce backlash.
    — Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 21 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Several aircraft could divide surveillance tasks or combine their efforts to improve coverage in a particular sector.
    — Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Depending on your opinion of him (the fandom is divided), this one might not be your favorite.
    — Anna Moeslein, Glamour, 24 Oct. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Part.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/part. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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