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

Examples of member in a Sentence

These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Recent Examples on the Web These spiny mammals are members of the Erinaceidae family and date back approximately 15 million years ago. Allison Futterman, Discover Magazine, 6 Nov. 2024 Current cast members Kenan Thompson, Heidi Gardner and Bowen Yang accepted the award on behalf of the long-running sketch show. Kristen Tauer, WWD, 30 Oct. 2024 Popular on Variety Kimmel made a point of asking viewers to ask a Republican friends and family members to watch his monologue as a personal favor to them. Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 30 Oct. 2024 First responders, teachers, medical providers, nurses, doctors, military members, and veterans can take advantage of the Factor Hero Discount to save on their first order and on every box for the first year. Louryn Strampe, WIRED, 30 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for member 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for member
Noun
  • However, none of the Mac mini's internal components is upgradable after purchase, which only adds stress to the decision at checkout.
    PCMAG, PCMAG, 7 Nov. 2024
  • My greatest fear is that the public would lose faith in our election process and forgo this very necessary component of maintaining our freedom.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024
Noun
  • But the portion with date mistakes won’t be known until ballots are processed on Election Day on Tuesday.
    Bart Jansen, USA TODAY, 2 Nov. 2024
  • Significant damage was found on at least three beams and a portion of the bridge deck on the southbound side.
    Bebe Hodges, The Enquirer, 2 Nov. 2024
Noun
  • And yet who among us has not felt naïve in the pursuit of a trench, parka, or puffer that can withstand both the elements and the critical eye?
    Daniel Rodgers, Vogue, 5 Nov. 2024
  • Around 300 international industry professionals and buyers from 30 countries are attending this year’s edition of the event, which comprises three elements – Pitching, Market and Forum.
    Liz Shackleton, Deadline, 5 Nov. 2024
Noun
  • Was your family still part of the organization when you were cast out?
    Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 8 Nov. 2024
  • Regardless, the 16-inch MacBook Pro still delivers genuinely all-day battery life, thanks in part to the M4 Pro.
    PCMAG, PCMAG, 7 Nov. 2024
Noun
  • Various factors can set the scene for bacteria to swarm your small intestine.
    Erica Sloan, SELF, 24 Oct. 2024
  • Affordability – actually the lack of it – is a key factor here, with Kelley Blue Book reporting the average transaction price for a new model, though down a bit this year, still approaches a whopping $48,400.
    Jim Gorzelany, Forbes, 24 Oct. 2024
Noun
  • Whenever factional rivalries, regional tensions between Eastern and Western Republicans, or conflict between industrial and agrarian sections, threatened party unity, the tariff cemented them together.
    Bruce J. Schulman / Made by History, TIME, 24 Oct. 2024
  • Roughly a decade later, he has been reduced to eating solitary microwaveable poultry-tagine dinners from the gourmet section of the supermarket chain Monoprix.
    Judith Shulevitz, The Atlantic, 24 Oct. 2024
Noun
  • Secondhand marijuana smoke has many of the same carcinogens and toxic chemicals as secondhand tobacco smoke, along with THC, the active ingredient in cannabis.
    David Stempel, The Mercury News, 9 Nov. 2024
  • Rub a lychee or lemon wedge around the rim if desired, then shake all ingredients with ice for 15–20 seconds.
    Stephanie Gravalese, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
Noun
  • In the next couple of years, the Big Three automakers (then Chrysler, GM and Ford) jumped into that segment and took over with the Plymouth Valiant, Chevrolet Corvair and Ford Falcon.
    David Krumboltz, The Mercury News, 10 Nov. 2024
  • For any that haven’t reached green, clicking the segment reveals exactly why and, in most cases, explains how to get a better score.
    PCMAG, PCMAG, 7 Nov. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near member

Cite this Entry

“Member.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/member. Accessed 16 Nov. 2024.

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