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 Patterson and some council members downplayed the relevance of those findings, however, saying they were dated and conducted in different cities under different circumstances. — Charlotte Observer, 27 Aug. 2026 Judges for this year’s Miss Teen pageant include Kelsey Swanson, who is a current member of the cast of The Real Housewives of Rhode Island, and joins the judging panel this year. — Tabitha Parent, PEOPLE, 27 Aug. 2026 Renée Valerie is a colorist and R+COLOR education director and collective member. — Alyssa Rotunno, InStyle, 27 Aug. 2026 Once in office, Kennedy ousted all 17 members of the committee and named his own advisers. — Ali Swenson, Fortune, 27 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for member

Recent Examples of Synonyms for member

Noun

Fasteners include items like screws, bolts, nuts and washers that are crucial, if often unseen, components in vehicles and appliances.

— Grant Schwab, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2026
Sharing components and collaborating on research will help cut costs and speed up development, as well as add efficiency in economy of scale once the vehicles go into production.

— ABC News, ABC News, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of component

Noun

Because individual-stock premiums are currently richer, managers may also be able to meet their income targets by writing options against a smaller portion of the portfolio.

— Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 1 Sep. 2026
The struggles contributed to growing frustration among portions of UCLA’s fan and donor base.

— Ira Gorawara, New York Times, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of portion

Noun

Play was suspended on the outside courts, but the roofs could close on Armstrong and Ashe, protecting Bublik and Wolf, and Novak Djokovic and Mariano Navone, from the elements.

— Rebecca Tauber, New York Times, 31 Aug. 2026
Now, one element of great balance is there’s not a ton of headliners, stars.

— Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of element

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

Noun

For comparison, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC), the world’s largest foundry, began mass-producing 7nm chips in 2018 and can achieve yields exceeding 90%, depending on factors including chip design and die size.

— Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 30 Aug. 2026
The significant rise in purse sizes in recent years is also a factor.

— Gabby Herzig, New York Times, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of factor

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

Within that $10 billion-plus partnership ad segment, Temu’s presence is huge.

— Jim Edwards, Fortune, 31 Aug. 2026
And despite several headlines that consumers are buying fewer sneakers in lieu of dressier options, retailers are seeing growth in multiple segments of the men’s shoe market.

— Stephen Garner, Footwear News, 31 Aug. 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 2 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of member

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