fragment 1 of 2

verb

ˈfrag-ˌment How to pronounce fragment (audio)
Definition of fragmentnext
as in to disrupt
to cause to separate into pieces usually suddenly or forcibly you can fragment that peanut brittle easily, but how it breaks is basically up to the brittle

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

fragment

2 of 2

noun

ˈfrag-mənt How to pronounce fragment (audio)
as in piece
a broken or irregular part of something that often remains incomplete charred fragments of the exploded rocket were scattered over a huge area of ground

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How is the word fragment distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of fragment are division, member, part, piece, portion, section, and segment. While all these words mean "something less than the whole," fragment applies to a part produced by or as if by breaking off.

only a fragment of the play still exists

When would division be a good substitute for fragment?

The meanings of division and fragment largely overlap; however, division applies to a large or diversified part.

the manufacturing division of the company

When is it sensible to use member instead of fragment?

While the synonyms member and fragment are close in meaning, member suggests one of the functional units composing a body.

a structural member

Where would part be a reasonable alternative to fragment?

The words part and fragment 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 can piece be used instead of fragment?

In some situations, the words piece and fragment are roughly equivalent. However, piece applies to a separate or detached part of a whole.

a puzzle with 500 pieces

When could portion be used to replace fragment?

Although the words portion and fragment have much in common, portion implies an assigned or allotted part.

cut the pie into six portions

When is section a more appropriate choice than fragment?

The synonyms section and fragment are sometimes interchangeable, but section applies to a relatively small or uniform part.

the entertainment section of the newspaper

When might segment be a better fit than fragment?

While in some cases nearly identical to fragment, 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 fragment
Verb
There are fears Trump could fragment alliances that Biden created by focusing too much on bilateral and deal-making ties. —Laura Kelly, The Hill, 8 Jan. 2025 Since then, audiences have fragmented along lines of platform, generation, identity, and ideology. —Judy Berman, TIME, 17 Feb. 2025
Noun
The researchers proposed that the viewers combined these disparate narrative fragments into a coherent experience. —Quanta Magazine, 21 Feb. 2025 This fall Ace Demers plans to go to British Columbia to search for a piece of bone — a fragment from the base of a grizzly bear’s skull. —Tom Stacer, Outdoor Life, 20 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for fragment
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fragment
  1. disrupt
  2. piece
  3. fracture
  4. fraction
  5. break
  6. bit
  7. disintegrate
  8. scrap
Verb
  • Every year, earthquakes claim victims and cost billions in direct economic loss, damaging or destroying homes, tearing down infrastructure, rendering production sites inoperable, and disrupting transport lines.
    — David Bressan, Forbes, 5 Mar. 2025
  • The right-wing House Freedom Caucus on Tuesday issued a threat to try to censure any Democratic lawmakers or guests who disrupt President Trump's speech to Congress.
    — Andrew Solender, Axios, 5 Mar. 2025
Definition of disrupt
Noun
  • Mazzoli created a lush score that was alternately sweeping or intimate, sensuous or mystical, yet with a distinctive sound that was her own weaving a thread through the piece.
    — Janelle Gelfand, Cincinnati.com, 19 July 2017
  • This is why the war stories of Tom Clancy are such convincing and moving pieces of fiction.
    — Janine Barchas, Washington Post, 18 July 2017
Definition of piece
Verb
  • Continued calls for the Zelensky's resignation will likely fracture Washington and Kyiv's relations going forward, as Ukraine has expressed support for its president.
    — Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 3 Mar. 2025
  • He had been wounded last summer, not far from the Russian border in northeastern Ukraine, when a blast from a grenade fractured his right shoulder blade, a bullet hit him just below his right collarbone, another tore through his left shoulder, and a third broke three ribs.
    — Michael Holtz, The New Yorker, 28 Feb. 2025
Definition of fracture
Noun
  • Their actions have left only a small fraction of USAID employees on the job, slashed $60 billion in assistance overseas and upended decades of U.S. policy that foreign aid helps American interests abroad by stabilizing other countries and building alliances.
    — GARY FIELDS AND ELLEN KNICKMEYER THE ASSOCIATED PRESS, arkansasonline.com, 28 Feb. 2025
  • While around 10,000 baby boomers turn 65 daily, the median household retirement savings for those between the ages 65 and 75 stands around $200,000—a fraction of what’s needed to fund a 20- or 30-year retirement.
    — Mike Vietri, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2025
Definition of fraction
Verb
  • In the fourth, the Coyotes continued their press, and Birdville had trouble breaking it.
    — Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Mar. 2025
  • This is a breaking news story and will be updated shortly.
    — Karen Gilchrist, CNBC, 5 Mar. 2025
Definition of break
Noun
  • Moore is quirky and a little bit edgy as the cool one of the group, whose all-black wardrobe could either be a fashion statement… or a sign of clinical depression.
    — Katie Rife, EW.com, 2 Mar. 2025
  • Co-presenting the Animated Feature and Animated Short categories, the unlikely duo navigated their bits and at various moments, sweetly linked arms or hands.
    — Elizabeth Leonard, People.com, 2 Mar. 2025
Definition of bit
Verb
  • Millions of lives were at stake in the simulation, as government heads raced to decide whether or not to rocket nuclear warheads to deflect the asteroid or completely disintegrate it.
    — Kevin Holden Platt, Forbes, 3 Mar. 2025
  • Were we placed under the same unforgiving microscope, even the most robust self-confidence would disintegrate, and fast.
    — Morgan Fargo, Vogue, 27 Feb. 2025
Definition of disintegrate
Noun
  • Cheese or Dairy Products Cheese and dairy scraps are other food items not to be used in compost.
    — Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 26 Feb. 2025
  • Food scraps scattered along the roadside attract rodents, which in turn draw owls to hunt them.
    — Cecilia Rodriguez, Forbes, 24 Feb. 2025
Definition of scrap

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Cite this Entry

“Fragment.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fragment. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.

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