constituent 1 of 2

constituent

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adjective

Synonym Chooser

How is the word constituent distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of constituent are component, element, and ingredient. While all these words mean "one of the parts of a compound or complex whole," constituent stresses its essential and formative character.

the constituents of a chemical compound

How are the words component and constituent related?

Both component and constituent may designate any of the substances (whether elements or compounds) or the qualities that enter into the makeup of a complex product; component stresses its separate entity or distinguishable character.

the components of a stereo system

When is it sensible to use element instead of constituent?

While the synonyms element and constituent are close in meaning, element applies to any such part and often connotes irreducible simplicity.

the basic elements of geometry

When is ingredient a more appropriate choice than constituent?

Although the words ingredient and constituent have much in common, ingredient applies to any of the substances which when combined form a particular mixture.

the ingredients of a cocktail

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 constituent
Noun
Part of why politicians in wealthy countries are currently treating aid as an easy target is because so many of their constituents are struggling, and feel that sending money to other countries is unfair. Christine Ro, Forbes, 25 Mar. 2025 Before Republican House members decided to stop holding Town Halls, thousands of their constituents loudly denounced DOGE’s layoffs of federal workers. Gary Phelan, Hartford Courant, 24 Mar. 2025
Adjective
Water extracted from ice could serve multiple purposes for astronauts, not only as drinking water but also for producing rocket fuel by splitting water molecules into their constituent parts — oxygen and hydrogen. Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 7 Mar. 2025 Some lawmakers been bombarded with constituent phone calls and voters at town halls who are angry at the dramatic cuts to the federal government. Cnn.com Wire Service, The Mercury News, 5 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for constituent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for constituent
Noun
  • Gone is Team Ivy versus Team Karen, and with it, the battle between a seasoned Broadway ensemble member and a newbie from Iowa.
    Christian Lewis, Variety, 11 Apr. 2025
  • As a bonus for new members, the travel bundle also comes with three months of unlimited streaming access to Pvolve’s library of over 1,500 classes.
    Maggie Ryan, Flow Space, 10 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • And as Golosio and his team knew, an ANN designed around a multi-component working memory model could be a powerful tool for processing and creating human-like communication.
    Ben Thomas, Discover Magazine, 12 Nov. 2015
  • Perceptual convergence of multi-component mixtures in olfaction implies an olfactory white.
    Ed Yong, Discover Magazine, 20 Nov. 2012
Noun
  • Professional chefs’ carrot cake recipes do not give fans any clarity on whether raisins are a proper ingredient.
    Sabrina Weiss, People.com, 28 Mar. 2025
  • The pilot model in general is more often employed in comedy as a proof of concept for tone, chemistry among the ensemble cast, comedic timing and other key ingredients of a successful series.
    Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 28 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • This comes just a few days after Derrick White overtook Isaiah Thomas for the most individual threes in a season in Celtics’ franchise history.
    Shane Young, Forbes.com, 5 Apr. 2025
  • Conservatives typically treasure civic institutions as a storehouse of ancestral wisdom; those on the left have championed universal rights, individual freedoms and the vox populi.
    Christian Edwards, CNN Money, 5 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • After the Entrada, there are traces of Teotihuacan’s presence all over Tikal, from royal burials in a necropolis to distinctly Mexican architecture mixed with Maya elements in a complex of residential and ceremonial buildings near the heart of the city.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 10 Apr. 2025
  • On the other hand, there are elements of youth and inexperience that can only be felt in my shows in the past, perhaps my fans can find entertainment in my growth as well.
    Billboard Japan, Billboard, 10 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • For investors who can’t resist the allure of a beat-the-market scheme, our table offers, reluctantly, factor funds in a few different flavors.
    William Baldwin, Forbes.com, 4 Apr. 2025
  • Related article Adults may want to consider revisiting their childhood hobbies, according to a psychologist Addressing the 17 factors can reduce people’s risk for all three conditions.
    Kristen Rogers, CNN Money, 4 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Constituent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/constituent. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.

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