FRAGMENT Synonyms: 81 Similar and Opposite Words

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

Some common synonyms of fragment are division , member , part , piece , portion , section , and segment . While all these words mean "something less than the whole," fragment applies to a part produced by or as if by breaking off. // only a fragment of the play still exists

Q: When would 'division' be a good substitute for 'fragment'?

The meanings of division and fragment largely overlap; however, division applies to a large or diversified part. // the manufacturing division of the company

Q: When is it sensible to use 'member' instead of 'fragment'?

While the synonyms member and fragment are close in meaning, member suggests one of the functional units composing a body. // a structural member

Q: Where would 'part' be a reasonable alternative to 'fragment'?

The words part and fragment 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 can 'piece' be used instead of 'fragment'?

In some situations, the words piece and fragment are roughly equivalent. However, piece applies to a separate or detached part of a whole. // a puzzle with 500 pieces

Q: When could 'portion' be used to replace 'fragment'?

Although the words portion and fragment have much in common, portion implies an assigned or allotted part. // cut the pie into six portions

Q: When is 'section' a more appropriate choice than 'fragment'?

The synonyms section and fragment are sometimes interchangeable, 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 'fragment'?

While in some cases nearly identical to fragment , segment applies to a part separated or marked out by or as if by natural lines of cleavage. // the retired segment of the population

fragment 1 of 2

verb

ˈfrag-ˌment

Definition of fragment

as in to disrupt

to cause to separate into pieces usually suddenly or forcibly you can fragment that peanut brittle easily, but how it breaks is basically up to the brittle

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

fragment

2 of 2

noun

ˈfrag-mənt

as in piece

a broken or irregular part of something that often remains incomplete charred fragments of the exploded rocket were scattered over a huge area of ground

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How is the word fragment distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of fragment are division, member, part, piece, portion, section, and segment. While all these words mean "something less than the whole," fragment applies to a part produced by or as if by breaking off.

only a fragment of the play still exists

When would division be a good substitute for fragment?

The meanings of division and fragment largely overlap; however, division applies to a large or diversified part.

the manufacturing division of the company

When is it sensible to use member instead of fragment?

While the synonyms member and fragment are close in meaning, member suggests one of the functional units composing a body.

a structural member

Where would part be a reasonable alternative to fragment?

The words part and fragment 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 can piece be used instead of fragment?

In some situations, the words piece and fragment are roughly equivalent. However, piece applies to a separate or detached part of a whole.

a puzzle with 500 pieces

When could portion be used to replace fragment?

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

cut the pie into six portions

When is section a more appropriate choice than fragment?

The synonyms section and fragment are sometimes interchangeable, but section applies to a relatively small or uniform part.

the entertainment section of the newspaper

When might segment be a better fit than fragment?

While in some cases nearly identical to fragment, 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 fragment

Verb

However, the Taurids belong to a much larger complex of dust, rocks, comets and asteroids, possibly created when a much bigger object fragmented thousands of years ago. — Jamie Carter, Space.com, 12 Oct. 2026 Keeping Australian production viable amid rising costs and fragmenting audiences remains her priority. — Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 9 Oct. 2026

Noun

Officials also outlined several hazards for residents and visitors, including potentially dangerous gas emissions and small, glassy volcanic fragments that can cause skin and eye irritation. — Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 9 Oct. 2026 Of the remaining fragments, some are lengthy, some only a word or two long, often quoted by other ancient authors. — Amy Cannon, The Conversation, 9 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for fragment

Recent Examples of Synonyms for fragment

Verb

The integration could help American troops operate uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS) when adversaries attempt to disrupt battlefield communications.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 16 Oct. 2026
At the same time, a traffic signal at Hazel Avenue and Folsom Boulevard was flashing in all directions, disrupting train signals at three additional intersections, Selenis said.

— Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of disrupt

Noun

For the spring 2027 collection, McGirr fulfilled a dream, inviting the jeweler and former McQueen collaborator, Shaun Leane, to create pieces for the runway for the first time in 16 years.

— Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 16 Oct. 2026
Schlossman does admit that not every piece of the AI ecosystem will pass a stress test.

— Jim Edwards, Fortune, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of piece

Verb

Michael Flynn was 28 and working towards earning his PHD in theoretical physics when the 30-foot-long dead tree limb fell over 27 feet onto him, fracturing his skull and changing his life forever.

— Madisen Keavy, CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026
As a result, sudden freezing temperatures can cause materials to fracture easily.

— Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of fracture

Noun

But the structured data that powers these decisions represents only a fraction of what insurers actually collect.

— Amanda Turcotte, Forbes.com, 20 Oct. 2026
The investment bank rates Seagate overweight and raised its 12-month price target on the stock a fraction, to $1,200 from $1,187, suggesting nearly 82% upside from Monday's close.

— Liz Napolitano, CNBC, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of fraction

Verb

At a time when the fourth wall between fan and wrestler had long collapsed, Satterley rarely broke character.

— Rudy Chinchilla, NBC news, 17 Oct. 2026
Catch up on breaking news, exclusive interviews, political analysis, original reporting, and standout moments — all in one place, every week.

— Washington Examiner, The Washington Examiner, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of break

Noun

Tomalak did a little bit of everything, fueling the offense as her team’s multidimensional quarterback and patrolling the secondary as a ball-hawking safety.

— Steve Reaven, Chicago Tribune, 18 Oct. 2026
Cutie from Saie is one of my favorites for a little bit of a deeper antiblush.

— Lindy Segal, Glamour, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of bit

Verb

Some classic stuffing recipes call for plain white bread, which will likely absorb too much moisture and disintegrate.

— Kendra Vaculin, Bon Appetit Magazine, 14 Oct. 2026
Whatever one believes about the allegations against the couple, the devastation of watching an academic and media career disintegrate in real time is difficult to dismiss.

— Shamira Ibrahim, Vulture, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of disintegrate

Noun

The floor is made from compressed leather scraps produced during the brand’s manufacturing process.

— Ryma Chikhoune, Footwear News, 16 Oct. 2026
The messages, scribbled on whatever scrap of paper a sender could find, often featured misspellings and shaky penmanship; many older residents of rural areas did not know how to read or write well, if at all.

— Jordan Salama, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of scrap

Browse Nearby Words

fragility

fragment

fragmental

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“Fragment.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fragment. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of fragment

verb

noun

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