Definition of membernext

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 Pluto was long considered the ninth and furthest planet in our solar system from the sun until it was controversially downgraded in 2006 in a vote by members of the International Astronomical Union. Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 30 Apr. 2026 The potential drop in that figure drew a swift rebuke Wednesday from members of the Congressional Black Caucus. Hansi Lo Wang, NPR, 30 Apr. 2026 Three seats — two contested — are on the June 2 primary ballot for the seven-member Los Angeles Unified School District Board of Education. Howard Blume, Los Angeles Times, 30 Apr. 2026 The deadline for a member to propose a candidate for the election is November 18. Henry Bushnell, New York Times, 30 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for member
Recent Examples of Synonyms for member
Noun
  • The idea is to remotely control or physically guide the robot’s arm to teach it a task like wiping a table, stacking boxes, or welding a car component.
    Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 26 Apr. 2026
  • The second option is to select exercises a person is already familiar with and add a core stability component.
    Matt Parrott, Arkansas Online, 26 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • The court struck down that portion of the legislation, a move that infuriated Cindy's family.
    Amanda Lee Myers, USA Today, 29 Apr. 2026
  • Hillsborough commissioner Joshua Wostal has proposed using a tourist development tax to pay the county’s portion of construction, but that would require the Rays to pay all the upfront costs for construction and get reimbursed with public funds over the next 35 years.
    John Romano, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Step-backs, deep 3s, power drives, trips to the line – every element of their games was on display, and every possession seemed to raise the stakes.
    Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 30 Apr. 2026
  • Each element contributes to an experience that extends beyond the immediate act of dining.
    Matt Emma, USA Today, 29 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • New York Mets legends Gary Carter and Bud Harrelson both managed the team, with the latter also being a part-owner.
    Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 27 Apr. 2026
  • The recruitment has been part of that — Leipzig bought well and sold the players who needed to leave — but Werner has handled a young squad particularly well, minimising the volatility that was such a feature of their football last season.
    Sebastian Stafford-Bloor, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • All these factors combined lead to more walks.
    Ian Miller OutKick, FOXNews.com, 29 Apr. 2026
  • This is basically every aerophobic flier’s worst nightmare, and Harlin does a solid job of maintaining the fear factor and shock right up to the moment of Rich’s decision to dump fuel and ditch, since the nearest airport, Guam, is out of range.
    David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 28 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Ground teams at Kennedy offloaded the core stage—still lacking its engine section—from the barge on Tuesday and transferred it inside the Vehicle Assembly Building.
    Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 1 May 2026
  • Golf advocates are still fighting plans for a surf park proposed for the middle section of the course.
    Laylan Connelly, Oc Register, 1 May 2026
Noun
  • Starting with a lower-strength formula two nights a week allows your skin to build tolerance without the peeling and redness that drive many people away from the ingredient entirely.
    Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Kansas City Star, 27 Apr. 2026
  • The core gameplay loop involved a lot of artificial timers and seemingly endless, repetitive clicking to convert crops into ingredients and then move those ingredients into factories.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 27 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • The trio then shimmied back on to stage, with Coughlan and Fallon embracing as the madcap segment came to an end, and the show cut to a sketch in which Coughlan sent up her film The Faraway Tree with an explicit rap for studio executives.
    Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 25 Apr. 2026
  • The Chinese company has confirmed that the Great Tang EV is scheduled to officially reach the market in the first half of this year, expanding its presence in the large premium electric SUV segment.
    Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 25 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Member.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/member. Accessed 2 May. 2026.

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