factor

noun

ˈfak-tər How to pronounce factor (audio)
Definition of factornext
1
as in delegate
a person who acts or does business for another at the auction the high bidder for the painting was actually a factor for a wealthy art collector

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in component
one of the parts that make up a whole price was only one factor in my decision to buy the car

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 factor Martian soil lacks organic matter, and the current classification does not account for important factors such as perchlorate toxicity, nitrogen availability or detailed soil layers. — Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 17 Oct. 2026 That factor has prompted interventions by officials like Jefferson and Williams in the past. — Matt Peterson, CNBC, 16 Oct. 2026 Early detection remains the single largest factor an owner controls. — Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 16 Oct. 2026 But there was another personal factor helping out here, one — unlike Tommy’s sexuality — that wasn’t in the comic books. — Alex Ritman, Variety, 16 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for factor
Recent Examples of Synonyms for factor
  1. delegate
  2. component
  3. agent
  4. element
  5. representative
  6. ingredient
  7. deputy
  8. member
Noun
  • The French gêne par procuration delegates discomfort, while the German Fremdschämen means foreign shame.
    — Eugenie Brinkema, ARTnews.com, 17 Oct. 2026
  • Organized by the People’s Armed Police, the event brought together more than 320 defense experts and military delegates from 62 countries.
    — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of delegate
Noun
  • Trump’s announcement during his second trip to Ohio in two weeks was prompted by an August presidential memorandum directing administration officials to identify a suitable location for the component repair center within 90 days.
    — Naomi Lim, The Washington Examiner, 13 Oct. 2026
  • The choices are housed in the Atelier Vivier MTO cabinet, a silver console containing the available materials and hardware, while a digital component allows clients to visualize combinations before production begins.
    — Thomas Waller, Footwear News, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of component
Noun
  • Anyone seeking to hold federal agents accountable must be prepared for a long wait, says Borchetta.
    — Philip Wang, Time, 19 Oct. 2026
  • Child welfare agents said abuse may have occurred, but the perpetrator was unknown, according to records reviewed by The Washington Post.
    — Lara Korte The Washington Post, Arkansas Online, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of agent
Noun
  • In Blue Level and Desert Moon (both 1955), with their solid areas of blues and reds, respectively, Krasner constructed a vertical world that stood straight and sturdy, raw elements reaching beyond the painting’s top and bottom edges.
    — John Yau, ARTnews.com, 18 Oct. 2026
  • The situation is similar to plumbing fixtures located within a unit, which are a unit owner’s responsibility even though the building’s common element plumbing system brings water to all units.
    — Howard Dakoff, Chicago Tribune, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of element
Noun
  • Dori Media, which produces film and TV out of Tel Aviv, Zurich and Buenos Aires, was approached by representatives for Sphereorigin about working together on a film.
    — Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Attempts to reach representatives for Jackson were unsuccessful Wednesday.
    — Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of representative
Noun
  • What began as a few purists chasing a vibe became an ingredient an entire industry pays extra for.
    — Matt Alt, Fortune, 18 Oct. 2026
  • Spring & Mulberry chocolate is notoriously good for gifting—the packaging is beautiful, and the brand uses the best of ingredients from direct-trade single-origin cacao and organic dates.
    — Kate Kassin, Bon Appetit Magazine, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of ingredient
Noun
  • Tracy Rieff is stepping down from his role of deputy fire chief after 36 years of volunteering with the Farmington Fire Department.
    — Lynn Kutter, Arkansas Online, 19 Oct. 2026
  • But while critics on the Israeli right railed against the deal, Netanyahu’s deputies worked behind the scenes to preserve it, according to correspondence obtained by TIME.
    — Eric Cortellessa, Time, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of deputy
Noun
  • The finance chiefs ended the meeting without a joint communique, underscoring persistent divisions among members over the Middle East conflict, trade imbalances, and Russia's war with Ukraine.
    — Anniek Bao, CNBC, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Krantz said the suspect, a male city resident who has not yet been publicly identified, was spotted entering the school by a community member, who eventually pursued him into the school and shot him.
    — Chad de Guzman, Time, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of member

Phrases Containing factor

Browse Nearby Words

factoids
factor
factored (in or into)
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Cite this Entry

“Factor.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/factor. Accessed 19 Oct. 2026.

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Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about factor

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