portion 1 of 2

noun

ˈpȯr-shən How to pronounce portion (audio)
Definition of portionnext
1
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

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2
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
3
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

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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
The roasted chiles, cleaned or not, can be portioned into zip-top or vacuum seal bags and frozen for up to two years. — Sean Timberlake, Sacbee.com, 30 July 2026 Buttery and flaky, these individual strawberry desserts are perfectly portioned for your next cookout. — Brennan Long, Southern Living, 3 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for portion
Recent Examples of Synonyms for portion
  1. destiny
  2. part
  3. share
  4. distribute
  5. fate
  6. section
  7. proportion
  8. dispense
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
Noun
  • The company attributed the loss mainly to fair-value losses on its convertible redeemable preferred shares, as per its prospectus.
    — Jenny Lee, CNBC, 1 Sep. 2026
  • The region typically receives a significant share of its rainfall during this time of year, Weiss said.
    — Janet Loehrke, USA Today, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of share
Verb
  • The publisher will also distribute the audiobook to 100,000 teachers affiliated with Book Clubs in collaboration with Audible and Pottermore.
    — K.J. Yossman, Variety, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Among the additional counts against Andrew are allegations of making or distributing indecent images of children and possessing extreme pornography.
    — Jonny Hallam, CNN Money, 27 Aug. 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
  • Inside its Equipment Innovation Center in Atlanta, a massive television screen displays real-time data showing what drinks dispensed by the Freestyle are trending, what time of day and where — from the region to the type of business.
    — Amelia Lucas, CNBC, 22 Aug. 2026
  • Those sales were hit by federal legislation that requires pharmacies to dispense some high-cost Medicare drugs at capped prices, the retailer said.
    — Anne D'Innocenzio, Fortune, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of dispense

Browse Nearby Words

porticoes
portion
portioned
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Portion.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/portion. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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