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 The five-episode doc follows Five Guys’ global competition of crew members from local qualifying rounds to the ultimate championship. — Mya Copeland, Variety, 16 Oct. 2026 My colleague Ellie Austin and members of the audience sprang into action, handing me fresh tissues and lip balm. — Diane Brady, Fortune, 16 Oct. 2026 According to Fleming, some people with anorexia have falsified their image using artificial intelligence or by submitting one of a friend or family member instead. — Anna Cooban, CNN Money, 15 Oct. 2026 Two members of the pro-Assad groups were sentenced to death and a third to 12 years in prison. — ABC News, 15 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for member

Recent Examples of Synonyms for member

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

The historic weather pattern claimed more than a dozen homes along the shore in Long Beach, swallowing up boardwalks and portions of the Pacific Coast Highway farther south.

— Alicia Victoria Lozano, NBC news, 17 Oct. 2026
The South Coast Air Quality Management District issued smoke advisories for several areas across the region, including portions of Newport Beach to San Clemente due to the Norte fire.

— Tony Briscoe, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of portion

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

Explore See latest videos, charts and news Performing as part of his 30-night residency at the New York venue, Styles paused to address the crowd before the tribute.

— Jessica Lynch, Billboard, 17 Oct. 2026
Ukraine's greatest fear is that the Chinese government could severely restrict its access to these critical parts.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of part

Noun

Measles usually kills two or three people in every 1,000 cases, the WHO says, but the disease can be more deadly in poorer nations because of factors such as malnutrition.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 18 Oct. 2026
This year, those existing factors coincide with what is predicted to become the strongest El Niño event in recorded history.

— Alicia Victoria Lozano, NBC news, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of factor

Noun

When suggesting a link (like a link to a voter portal, tracker, or locator), provide the markdown link early in the response or at the top of the relevant section.

— Rakesh Agrawal, PC Magazine, 14 Oct. 2026
As the song unfolds, the drums, lead vocal, background vocals, chord movement and production all play a role in carrying and reshaping it, allowing the sections to feel distinctly different while still remaining tightly connected.

— David Penn, Billboard, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of section

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

Platforms are increasingly using unskippable 30-second TV-style ads, while numerous creator videos are packed with sponsor segments, product placements and pitches.

— William Daddi, Forbes.com, 16 Oct. 2026
The wife doesn't even complain when switching from one of those political commercial rapid fire segments that come on during a Hallmark movie.

— Joe Kinsey OutKick, FOXNews.com, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of segment

Browse Nearby Words

melts down

member

members

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Member.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/member. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of member

noun

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