DIVISION Synonyms: 186 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'division' distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of division are fragment , member , part , piece , portion , section , and segment . While all these words mean "something less than the whole," division applies to a large or diversified part. // the manufacturing division of the company

Q: When would 'fragment' be a good substitute for 'division'?

While in some cases nearly identical to division , fragment applies to a part produced by or as if by breaking off. // only a fragment of the play still exists

Q: When can 'member' be used instead of 'division'?

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

Q: Where would 'part' be a reasonable alternative to 'division'?

The words part and division can be used in similar contexts, but part is a general term appropriate when indefiniteness is required. // they ran only part of the way

Q: In what contexts can 'piece' take the place of 'division'?

In some situations, the words piece and division are roughly equivalent. However, piece applies to a separate or detached part of a whole. // a puzzle with 500 pieces

Q: When is 'portion' a more appropriate choice than 'division'?

Although the words portion and division have much in common, portion implies an assigned or allotted part. // cut the pie into six portions

Q: When could 'section' be used to replace 'division'?

The synonyms section and division are sometimes interchangeable, but section applies to a relatively small or uniform part. // the entertainment section of the newspaper

Q: When is it sensible to use 'segment' instead of 'division'?

The words segment and division are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, segment applies to a part separated or marked out by or as if by natural lines of cleavage. // the retired segment of the population

division

noun

də-ˈvi-zhən

Definition of division

as in divider

something that divides, separates, or marks off we poked our heads over the division between the yards to see what the fuss was about

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in department

a large unit of a governmental, business, or educational organization the complaints division handled all of the calls from the angry townsfolk

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in category

one of the units into which a whole is divided on the basis of a common characteristic one of the major divisions of birds

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in split

the act or process of a whole separating into two or more parts or pieces the assembly line was a major development in the division of labor among workers

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in distribution

the act or process of giving out something to each member of a group the person in charge of the division of the profits among the business partners

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in discord

a lack of agreement or harmony that church has been racked by division for some time now, and a split into two denominations seems unavoidable

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word division distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of division are fragment, member, part, piece, portion, section, and segment. While all these words mean "something less than the whole," division applies to a large or diversified part.

the manufacturing division of the company

When would fragment be a good substitute for division?

While in some cases nearly identical to division, fragment applies to a part produced by or as if by breaking off.

only a fragment of the play still exists

When can member be used instead of division?

While the synonyms member and division 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 division?

The words part and division can be used in similar contexts, but part is a general term appropriate when indefiniteness is required.

they ran only part of the way

In what contexts can piece take the place of division?

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

a puzzle with 500 pieces

When is portion a more appropriate choice than division?

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

cut the pie into six portions

When could section be used to replace division?

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

the entertainment section of the newspaper

When is it sensible to use segment instead of division?

The words segment and division are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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 division This is pending results of an inspection that was scheduled for Thursday by the Cemetery & Funeral Bureau, a division of the California Department of Consumer Affairs. — Graham Womack, Sacbee.com, 10 Oct. 2026 Snell and Glasnow each starred last October, but each walked five in his division series start while failing to complete five innings. — Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 10 Oct. 2026 The party also faces divisions over how to balance criticism of the Israeli government with concerns about Israel’s security and Iran’s regional ambitions. — Barnini Chakraborty, The Washington Examiner, 9 Oct. 2026 Neither Dan Heizman, president of Local 42, which represents those with the rank of captain and below, nor Clay Calvin, president of Local 3808, which represents division and battalion chiefs, responded to requests for comment. — Kansas City Star, 9 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for division

Recent Examples of Synonyms for division

Noun

Better yet, those dividers pull out and double as flat tops for the crate, turning it into a makeshift workstation or seat (without leaving the milk crate imprint on your skin afterward).

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 1 Oct. 2026
The Ghost bag comes with a 14-way divider, so every club has a spot, or a 7-way divider which is more traditional.

— Langston Wertz Jr, Charlotte Observer, 30 Sep. 2026

Definition of divider

Noun

The produce department features tropical fruits such as jackfruit, dragon fruit, mangoes, sweet tamarind and durian, alongside a large selection of Asian vegetables and a wide variety of mushrooms that can compete with any local farmer’s market.

— Sara Rosenthal, Denver Post, 11 Oct. 2026
Meanwhile, a member of the education department treats his organization and financing with suspicion, despite having already left him to his own devices.

— Kambole Campbell, Variety, 11 Oct. 2026

Definition of department

Noun

The role brought him an Indian National Film Award for best supporting actor and the Filmfare award in the same category.

— Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 8 Oct. 2026
Some 42% purchased in at least two collectible categories beyond fine and decorative art, close to baby boomers at 39%.

— Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of category

Noun

The program offers discussions of financing and distribution, opportunities to present unfinished work and pitch projects, and meetings with industry representatives.

— Philip Martin, Arkansas Online, 13 Oct. 2026
The Irish production and distribution shingle, which specializes in horror and adjacent genre movies, is handling worldwide sales on the film, which recently wrapped principal photography.

— Ed Meza, Variety, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of distribution

Noun

If the histrionics coming out of Washington are any indication, the discord won’t abate soon.

— Chris Park, Fortune, 7 Oct. 2026
Since France's July 2024 snap election delivered no parliamentary majority, budget disputes have sparked political discord, with two administrations being ousted in no-confidence votes.

— Chloe Taylor, CNBC, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of discord

Noun

Like every Lucy project, there are also swing-for-the-fences samples, of the kinds of old, viral songs that create communities of nostalgic yearners in their YouTube comments.

— H.D. Angel, Pitchfork, 8 Oct. 2026
Access holders say the fence has created significant problems, including trapping wildlife and diverting water from community irrigation ditches.

— Anna Alejo, CBS News, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of fence

Noun

State agencies, including the Illinois Emergency Management Agency and Office of Homeland Security, have helped local officials with damage assessments and power restoration, among other tasks.

— Jeremy Gorner, Chicago Tribune, 9 Oct. 2026
But Khan has also invested in bringing in a much broader array of companies and government agencies, so tenants from outside financial services now account for almost half of his office space.

— Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson, semafor.com, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of agency

Browse Nearby Words

divisible

division

divisional

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Division.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/division. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of division

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Synonyms of division

noun

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