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 According to family members, the twins had no ties to Hiawassee, had never mentioned Bell Mountain, and certainly weren’t hikers. —Amber Corrine, VIBE.com, 28 May 2025 People like Art Schwank of Lincolnshire said the actions of Trump and Republican members of Congress are scary. —Steve Sadin, Chicago Tribune, 28 May 2025 The association showcased members of the textile supply chain to bring awareness of the country’s strength in denim garment manufacturing and knitwear. —Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 28 May 2025 Marchese, who is also a board member at National CineMedia, sees movie theaters as being part of the experiential conversation, with last weekend’s box office bonanza showing that theatrical moviegoing still has a pulse. —Dade Hayes, Deadline, 28 May 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
  • Beyond its positioning as an immersive golf retreat, Sand Valley in some fashion is becoming a Midwest version of Pinehurst, with a housing component and a community center, and has shown how rural Wisconsin can be a national draw.
    — Erik Matuszewski, Forbes.com, 26 May 2025
  • The 964 was already a pioneering platform, with 85 percent of the car comprising new components compared to its predecessor.
    — Viju Mathew, Robb Report, 26 May 2025
Definition of component
Noun
  • Both renditions incorporated portions of the original Addams Family theme song.
    — Walden Green, Pitchfork, 1 June 2025
  • Musk has also sought to operate Starlink, his satellite-internet company, in South Africa, but has balked at a law requiring foreign tech firms to sell a portion of their local subsidiaries to shareholders who are Black or historically disadvantaged.
    — Jonathan Blitzer, New Yorker, 1 June 2025
Definition of portion
Noun
  • Staking peonies with peony cages offers the plant support and keeps it upright even through the elements.
    — Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 30 May 2025
  • Welcome to Sliders, a weekly in-season MLB column that focuses on both the timely and timeless elements of baseball.
    — Tyler Kepner, New York Times, 30 May 2025
Definition of element
Noun
  • Dina has been shot by an arrow in the crossfire of the war between the Washington Liberation Front/Wolves, the militia that Abby is a part of, and the Seraphites, a cult-ish religious group fond of lynching.
    — Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 27 May 2025
  • Fortunately, much of our [Handmaid's] crew came to be part of that.
    — EW.com, EW.com, 27 May 2025
Definition of part
Noun
  • Photos from the main camera are binned by a factor of four, resulting in final shots of 12.5MP.
    — PC Magazine, PC Magazine, 22 May 2025
  • Why this degree of recognition was delayed is, in all likelihood, due to a combination of factors.
    — Michael Russo, New York Times, 22 May 2025
Definition of factor
Noun
  • United United Airlines is expanding United Polaris and adding eight seats in the first row of each business class section.
    — Vinod Sreeharsha, Miami Herald, 22 May 2025
  • The shoreline is varied, with rocky sections and sandy beaches.
    — Melissa Oyler, Charlotte Observer, 22 May 2025
Definition of section
Noun
  • The lunar elixir, from the Ugly Delicious section of Fura’s Journal of Future Foods menu highlighting retail-imperfect ingredients, was a sensory bait and switch.
    — Adam Erace, Bon Appetit Magazine, 27 May 2025
  • What concentration of active whitening ingredients is best?
    — Jamie Allison Sanders, People.com, 27 May 2025
Definition of ingredient
Noun
  • Mulaney recently told Rolling Stone that the music segments of the talk show are his favorite part.
    — Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 29 May 2025
  • As the line between a conversational podcast and a TV segment blurs rapidly, MSNBC is stocking up on original audio shows — 18 and counting — as the progressive news brand pivots its business beyond its cable news roots.
    — Erik Hayden, HollywoodReporter, 29 May 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 4 Jun. 2025.

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