PORTION Synonyms: 124 Similar and Opposite Words

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

Some common synonyms of portion are destiny , doom , fate , and lot . While all these words mean "a predetermined state or end," portion implies the apportioning of good and evil. // remorse was his daily portion

Q: When might 'destiny' be a better fit than 'portion'?

The synonyms destiny and portion are sometimes interchangeable, but destiny implies something foreordained and often suggests a great or noble course or end. // the country's destiny to be a model of liberty to the world

Q: In what contexts can 'doom' take the place of 'portion'?

Although the words doom and portion have much in common, doom distinctly implies a grim or calamitous fate. // if the rebellion fails, his doom is certain

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

The meanings of fate and portion largely overlap; however, fate implies an inevitable and usually an adverse outcome. // the fate of the submarine is unknown

Q: How are the words 'lot' and 'portion' related?

Both lot and portion imply a distribution by fate or destiny, lot suggesting blind chance. // it was her lot to die childless

portion 1 of 2

noun

ˈpȯr-shən

Definition of portion

as in destiny

a state or end that seemingly has been decided beforehand he had always just assumed that lifelong bachelorhood would be his portion

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in part

one of the pieces from which something is designed to be assembled equal portions of the students' day are devoted to study, recreation, and sleep

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in share

something belonging to, due to, or contributed by an individual member of a group each camper gets an equal portion of the food

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

portion

2 of 2

verb

as in to distribute

to give out (something) to appropriate individuals portioned out the medical supplies equally

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word portion distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of portion are destiny, doom, fate, and lot. While all these words mean "a predetermined state or end," portion implies the apportioning of good and evil.

remorse was his daily portion

When might destiny be a better fit than portion?

The synonyms destiny and portion are sometimes interchangeable, but destiny implies something foreordained and often suggests a great or noble course or end.

the country's destiny to be a model of liberty to the world

In what contexts can doom take the place of portion?

Although the words doom and portion have much in common, doom distinctly implies a grim or calamitous fate.

if the rebellion fails, his doom is certain

When could fate be used to replace portion?

The meanings of fate and portion largely overlap; however, fate implies an inevitable and usually an adverse outcome.

the fate of the submarine is unknown

How are the words lot and portion related?

Both lot and portion imply a distribution by fate or destiny, lot suggesting blind chance.

it was her lot to die childless

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 portion

Noun

For the cardio portion, Cleveland Clinic recommends brisk walking, biking, dancing, swimming, rowing, stair climbing or elliptical training. — Samantha Agate, Sacbee.com, 31 Aug. 2026 Compared to its predecessors, though, Roman will be able to capture large portions of the universe without losing much detail. — Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 31 Aug. 2026

Verb

Try to portion snacks ahead of time instead of eating straight from the bag or container. — Lindsey Desoto, HEALTH, 14 Aug. 2026 Instead of making last-minute pet store runs, many owners are choosing subscription meal plans that arrive automatically and are portioned specifically for their dogs. — Kasey Caminiti, USA Today, 9 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for portion

Recent Examples of Synonyms for portion

Noun

Two years later, as massive success seemed like the Eagles’ manifest destiny, that tandem cut their bandmates out of a publishing deal, setting themselves up with a never-ending sinecure but setting their original quartet up to crumble.

— Grayson Haver Currin, Pitchfork, 30 Aug. 2026
This was an unusual-feeling time to begin with, what made it so that coincidences seemed like the work of destiny.

— Ingrid Vasquez, PEOPLE, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of destiny

Noun

This article is part of the Business of Influence series, examining the inner workings of content creation and how the industry is set to change in the years to come.

— Joe Bobowicz, Vogue, 1 Sep. 2026
These folks include my sister, two brothers and a beloved SIL, all who’ve been a loving part of our 41-year-old’s life since birth.

— R. Eric Thomas, Chicago Tribune, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of part

Verb

Artists using the library to record, produce and distribute songs is not unheard of.

— Caden Perry, jsonline.com, 4 Sep. 2026
Earlier this year, an open letter from agency leadership warned against using federal funds to buy harm reduction supplies like sterile syringes and pipes, or to distribute test strips for common drug supply contaminants.

— Theresa Gaffney, STAT, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of distribute

Noun

Former Boilermakers union members convicted in June of racketeering conspiracy — including ex-International President Newton Jones — will be waiting three more months to learn their fate.

— Judy L. Thomas, Kansas City Star, 31 Aug. 2026
Kohl’s decided in 2016 to close one of its big box stores in Roswell, but no one knew the building’s fate would be stuck in purgatory for the next decade.

— Zachary Hansen, AJC.com, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of fate

Noun

The judge later ruled in late 2024 that the two sections were unconstitutional.

— Joseph Flaherty, Arkansas Online, 28 Aug. 2026
The goddess Gayatri, a divine manifestation of the Gayatri mantra, is described in the Mahanarayana Upanishad as having five heads, along with three feet, six abdominal sections, and 24 syllables.

— Charles Preston, Encyclopedia Britannica, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of section

Noun

This metric measures the proportion of the working-age population that is either employed or actively seeking employment.

— , CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
Directly transferring the original walking policy failed because the second robot had different body proportions, joint configurations, and motor characteristics.

— Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of proportion

Verb

Staff are tuned-in and attentive, knowledgeable and efficient, without dispensing any of the sirs and ma’ams and stilted affections of fancier places.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Sep. 2026
Epstein was involved in figuring out ways to dispense a significant portion of that money.

— Ben Smith, semafor.com, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of dispense

Browse Nearby Words

porticoes

portion

portioned

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Style

“Portion.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/portion. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of portion

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