member

noun

ˈmem-bər How to pronounce member (audio)
Definition of membernext
1
as in component
one of the parts that make up a whole you're only one member of this group effort

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
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 Countless studies have shown that outcomes for citizens improve when members of the media ask probing questions of politicians. —Olga Khazan, The Atlantic, 14 July 2025 There's a new cake at Costco this summer – and members are raving about it. —Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 1 July 2025 In the end, three long-serving GOP members, Susan Collins of Maine, Rand Paul of Kentucky and Thom Tillis of North Carolina voted against, forcing Vice President JD Vance to break a 50-50 tie. —Ivan Pereira, ABC News, 1 July 2025 Letting go of trusted and long-serving staff members—from security personnel to dining services—deeply affected the campus community, eroding trust and undermining morale and long-term retention for several years to come. —Carol Geffner, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for member
Recent Examples of Synonyms for member
  1. component
  2. portion
  3. element
  4. part
  5. factor
  6. section
  7. ingredient
  8. segment
Noun
  • Roberson was a key component to the Buffs’ playoff appearance a season ago.
    — Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 July 2025
  • Adventure Mate uses a mixture of hardened tool steel, composite and aerospace-grade aluminum to create a powerful, rugged tool that weighs in under 5 lb (2.3 kg) inclusive of all the hard components (handle, axe/saw head and shovel head).
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 25 July 2025
Definition of component
Noun
  • Elsewhere, high pressure centered over the Southeast will keep dangerously hot and humid conditions in that region, but strong to severe storms along the perimeter of the high will remain possible across portions of the Plains, Midwest and even across portions of the East Coast.
    — Nadine El-Bawab, ABC News, 19 July 2025
  • At least the ending vocal portion, which prompted Jin to stop and look into the crowd, taking in the moment.
    — Laura Sirikul, Forbes.com, 19 July 2025
Definition of portion
Noun
  • Plaintiff Phone Discovery: Critical Strategic Elements Successful phone discovery requires understanding several strategic elements that can significantly improve outcomes: The Education Component: Many resistance issues stem from genuine misunderstanding about what cell phone forensics involves.
    — Lars Daniel, Forbes.com, 15 July 2025
  • Dress-up, of course, is a traditional element of ocean voyaging.
    — Guy Trebay, Travel + Leisure, 15 July 2025
Definition of element
Noun
  • Eventually, the victim is persuaded to contact an IT security representative, who, in fact, is part of the ransomware operation.
    — Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 26 July 2025
  • Hogan rose to prominence as a wrestler in the 1970s but attained superstardom in the 1980s as part of the World Wrestling Federation, now the WWE.
    — Chad Murphy, The Enquirer, 26 July 2025
Definition of part
Noun
  • There are probably a lot of factors to that, but among them, consider the idea that maybe his audience has been scared straight… scared Strait won’t come around again.
    — Chris Willman, Variety, 21 July 2025
  • Experts have noted that while as much as 80% of medical education focuses on biology, about 60% of premature deaths are due to behavioral factors including lifestyle habits like diet, exercise, and smoking.
    — Alice Park, Time, 21 July 2025
Definition of factor
Noun
  • There was a concrete pipe that used to be part of the town’s sewage system, a section of a bridge that the stream had taken out, and the remains of the Heartbreak Hotel, a storied old apartment building, half of which washed into the river on the night of July 10th.
    — John Seabrook, New Yorker, 21 July 2025
  • Venice Critics’ Week, the sidebar section of the Venice Film Festival, unveiled its lineup Monday, revealing the opening and closing films as well as the seven-title competition.
    — Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 21 July 2025
Definition of section
Noun
  • Asking for just 8 ingredients and about half an hour of time, this easy beef stroganoff recipe is a weeknight winner.
    — Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 26 July 2025
  • Avocado emulsifies the salsa, bringing all the ingredients together for a zippy bite filled with fresh tomatillo, cilantro, and serrano flavor.
    — Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 25 July 2025
Definition of ingredient
Noun
  • The show is described as having a short-form format, combining breaking news, entertainment segments and viral videos.
    — Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 14 July 2025
  • Simultaneously, Russia's larger army is renewing its offensive along segments of the 620-mile front line, putting additional pressure on Ukrainian defenders.
    — Gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 July 2025
Definition of segment

Browse Nearby Words

melts down
member
members
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Cite this Entry

“Member.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/member. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.

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