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

For instance, Qidi had to include a piece of Velcro to prevent the Polar Cooler tube from rubbing against the glass surface inside the top cover. — Michael Lydick, PC Magazine, 15 Aug. 2026 Her smart mix of lightweight and cozy pieces made the outfit especially practical for transitional weather. — Jacqueline Tempera, PEOPLE, 15 Aug. 2026

Verb

According to the band, Ow ∞ is a record about embracing a chaotic present while piecing yourself back together through memories, relationships and the creative process. — Spin Staff, SPIN, 21 July 2026 The doctor then has to be all Sherlock Holmes-like and piece everything together. — Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for piece

Recent Examples of Synonyms for piece

Noun

She was rushed to the hospital and was last listed in stable condition after undergoing surgery to remove the bullet fragments.

— Ryan Hughes, CBS News, 19 Aug. 2026
And because intelligence exists in isolated fragments across different systems, companies end up deploying armies of employees whose primary, manual job is just interpretation.

— Filip Popovic, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of fragment

Noun

Bragg's office contends that the state charges, including murder and firearms offenses, involve different legal elements and criminal conduct than federal charges, which alleged Mangione traveled across state lines to stalk and kill Thompson.

— ABC News, ABC News, 15 Aug. 2026
Police said investigators obtained arrest warrants for malicious wounding and use of a firearm in the commission of a felony, and said additional charges could be added later.

— Dennis Romero, NBC news, 15 Aug. 2026

Definition of firearm

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

Verb

Trujillo and Duncan’s aim is to enable people with disabilities to provide for their families and build rewarding lives.

— Allie Torgan, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 2026
Vintage Modern builds custom cars by hand at its Buford facility, using classic designs as the inspiration while incorporating modern engineering and amenities.

— Alexa Liacko, CBS News, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of build

Noun

Bits of pickled veg and infused butters come with the bread course, and the Parker House-like bread itself is multicolored thanks to leftover bits of beet and ramp and carrot.

— Helen Rosner, New Yorker, 16 Aug. 2026
Sometimes he can get pulled a little bit too far towards his near post with wide shots and open up space towards the back post.

— Matt Pyzdrowski, New York Times, 15 Aug. 2026

Definition of bit

Noun

Mateychuk is an excellent skater, with clear NHL edge work and speed to be able to skate pucks up ice, evade pressure and close on checks.

— Corey Pronman, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2026
The office's own work plan called for reviewing the rail authority's change-order process by July 2026 — including a $500 million-plus construction change order settlement.

— Julie Watts, CBS News, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of work

Noun

According to investigators, two men were involved in an argument when one of them pulled out a gun and shot the other.

— Abby Dodge, CBS News, 18 Aug. 2026
One frustration for investigators is that punishment for stealing from trains tends to be fairly minor unless the suspects are caught with a gun or were otherwise violent.

— Kiel Porter, Fortune, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of gun

Cite this Entry

Style

“Piece.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/piece. Accessed 21 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of piece

noun

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Synonyms of piece

noun

verb

Synonym Chooser

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