PIECE Synonyms: 218 Similar and Opposite Words

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

Some common synonyms of piece are division , fragment , member , part , portion , section , and segment . While all these words mean "something less than the whole," piece applies to a separate or detached part of a whole. // a puzzle with 500 pieces

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

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

Q: When can 'fragment' be used instead of 'piece'?

While the synonyms fragment and piece are close in meaning, fragment applies to a part produced by or as if by breaking off. // only a fragment of the play still exists

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

In some situations, the words member and piece are roughly equivalent. However, member suggests one of the functional units composing a body. // a structural member

Q: When might 'part' be a better fit than 'piece'?

The words part and piece 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: When would 'portion' be a good substitute for 'piece'?

Although the words portion and piece 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 'piece'?

The meanings of section and piece largely overlap; however, section applies to a relatively small or uniform part. // the entertainment section of the newspaper

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

The words segment and piece 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

piece 1 of 2

noun

ˈpēs

Definition of piece

as in fragment

a broken or irregular part of something that often remains incomplete a piece of stone fell from the crumbling wall

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in composition

a literary, musical, or artistic production presented a new interpretation of the piece by Mozart

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in firearm

a portable weapon from which a shot is discharged by gunpowder carrying a piece under his coat

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in portion

something belonging to, due to, or contributed by an individual member of a group believes his piece of the profits should be higher

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

piece

2 of 2

verb

as in to build

to form by putting together parts or materials you might want to piece together a quilt from those odd patches of cloth

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word piece distinct from other similar nouns?

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

a puzzle with 500 pieces

When is division a more appropriate choice than piece?

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

the manufacturing division of the company

When can fragment be used instead of piece?

While the synonyms fragment and piece are close in meaning, fragment applies to a part produced by or as if by breaking off.

only a fragment of the play still exists

Where would member be a reasonable alternative to piece?

In some situations, the words member and piece are roughly equivalent. However, member suggests one of the functional units composing a body.

a structural member

When might part be a better fit than piece?

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

they ran only part of the way

When would portion be a good substitute for piece?

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

cut the pie into six portions

When could section be used to replace piece?

The meanings of section and piece largely overlap; however, section applies to a relatively small or uniform part.

the entertainment section of the newspaper

In what contexts can segment take the place of piece?

The words segment and piece 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

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 piece

Noun

With less than two weeks until the 2026 midterm elections, early votes cast so far serve as one more piece of evidence that Democratic enthusiasm is high in some key states, according to ABC News' analysis. — ABC News, 22 Oct. 2026 Many of her pieces have been retired, but a few of them were once used to dress up her New York home more than four decades ago. — Patrick Connolly, The Orlando Sentinel, 22 Oct. 2026

Verb

Advertisement Adams, watching from Anna’s side of the revelation, says Anna is piecing it together at nearly the same moment Max is. — Jp Mangalindan, Time, 31 July 2026 Among the most harrowing was an overhead photograph of Rivas’ body pieced back together on a metal table, her face skeletonized. — Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 24 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for piece

Recent Examples of Synonyms for piece

Noun

Short for polydeoxyribonucleotide, it’s made from small, purified fragments of DNA taken from the sperm cells of certain fish, usually salmon or trout.

— Ryan Brennan, Sacbee.com, 21 Oct. 2026
Nearly a year later, in November 1998, human bone fragments were found in Mobile, Arizona.

— Kerry Breen, CBS News, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of fragment

Noun

Vertical lines, from the tines of the pitchfork to the church steeple in the background, organize and order the composition.

— Kelly Presutti, ARTnews.com, 23 Oct. 2026
Eastman recommends incorporating at least 15 percent Naia Renew into the composition to realize the fiber’s benefits.

— Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of composition

Noun

And unfortunately, there was another part of our party that didn't choose to be responsible with their firearm and fired too closely in my direction.

— Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 24 Oct. 2026
According to the affidavit, William alleged that Don hit him on the right side of his head with the firearm.

— Andrea Flores, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of firearm

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

Definition of portion

Verb

Fellow delivery workers built a memorial outside the grocery store, according to the station.

— Iris Kwok, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026
In order to be helpful, Muse constantly builds extensive dossiers of users and their desires, social relationships, and messaging behaviors, TIME’s Harry Booth reported this month.

— Andrew R. Chow, Time, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of build

Noun

Topped with cream cheese frosting, toffee, and almond candy bits, this scrumptious pumpkin spice cake will be a winner at your next fall party.

— Mary Shannon Wells, Southern Living, 25 Oct. 2026
Adding the 11-tap receiver equalizer increased the rate to 200 Gb/s, with the modulator consuming 63 fJ per bit.

— Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of bit

Noun

But creating a government database of gun owners also could put people at risk, if the information is hacked and leaked, Leary said.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 26 Oct. 2026
Helner admires Ben-Gvir’s push to expand civilian gun ownership, permit Jewish prayer on the Temple Mount, and introduce the death penalty for terrorists.

— Eric Cortellessa, Time, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of gun

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Style

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

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verb

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Synonyms of piece

noun

verb

Synonym Chooser

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