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 Russian drones have also been discovered in Moldova, which is not a NATO member. — David Brennan, ABC News, 21 Aug. 2026 Shah, however, said the new board members should be given some time to catch up and learn about the grant applications before being asked to approve them. — Gloria Casas, Chicago Tribune, 20 Aug. 2026 The billing, marketing, scheduling are handled for member vets. — Pamela McLoughlin, Hartford Courant, 20 Aug. 2026 At its most recent meeting in July, three committee members dissented from the decision, preferring to raise the target range by a quarter-point. — Rachel Barber, USA Today, 20 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for member

Recent Examples of Synonyms for member

Noun

Researchers can then change the circuit’s layout without redesigning every component.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 18 Aug. 2026
Moscow denied it, but such dual-use items as drone components, flak jackets or thermal weapon sights remain available on the platform.

— ABC News, ABC News, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of component

Noun

Farrell said a meaningful portion of the advance appeared to have been driven by traders closing bearish positions.

— Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 18 Aug. 2026
Those provisions give the inspector general new authority to temporarily withhold portions of his reports that reveal security risks, fraud-detection gaps or pending litigation.

— Julie Watts, CBS News, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of portion

Noun

Trump frequently changes course on a dime and as all the elements for the Ulchi Freedom drills are in place, scaling them back may not amount to much on the ground.

— Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 17 Aug. 2026
Garfield, whose credits include playing Spider-Man, says he is drawn to roles with an element of play, community and the natural world.

— ABC News, ABC News, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of element

Noun

There’s a keen juxtaposition of the old and the modern throughout this part of Edinburgh, where buildings made of ancient volcanic sandstone accommodate hip boutiques like record store Underground Solu'shn and coffee shops like The Milkman.

— Paul Jebara, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 Aug. 2026
Joe, for his part, ignores Nathan’s call before the guests arrive.

— Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of part

Noun

But a presidential campaign would also test whether his identity and record on Israel become factors in a Democratic primary at a time when the war in Gaza has exposed deep divisions within the party.

— Samantha-Jo Roth, The Washington Examiner, 22 Aug. 2026
Micro-level assessments are highly subjective and vary wildly, with experts deeming them futile due to numerous factors.

— John Werner, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2026

Definition of factor

Noun

The City Attorney's Office has about 160 lawyers, including an Employment Law section with 17 total employees, according to the city.

— Brian Maass, CBS News, 21 Aug. 2026
The archive Mittelman created covers every iteration of the live-theater playhouse and has several sections, one of which lists the name of everyone who ever performed on its stage.

— Andres Viglucci, Miami Herald, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of section

Noun

Sales of sunglasses is expected to nearly double to $4 billion by fiscal 2030 while the contact lenses segment is expected to expand to $730 million from $ 480 million over the same period.

— Anu Raghunathan, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026
Mehta had been leading L3Harris’ space and mission systems and communications and spectrum dominance segments.

— Amanda Gerut, Fortune, 18 Aug. 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 23 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of member

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