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Definition of fragmentnext

fragment

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noun

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
This fragmented the big urban regions leading to rural relocation, ending the major Harappan period by around 1700 BCE. Jay Kakade december 15, New Atlas, 15 Dec. 2025 Leaders are overwhelmed, and attention is fragmented. Lavinia Mehedintu, Big Think, 11 Dec. 2025
Noun
In March 2024, CMSA said in a statement that a fragment had hit one of the Tiangong space station’s solar panels, damaging it and causing a power loss that forced astronauts to perform spacewalks to make repairs. Humberto Basilio, Scientific American, 7 Nov. 2025 The Southern Taurids occur as the Earth passes through the debris trail of Comet Encke, while the Northern Taurids originate from the asteroid 2004 TG₁₀, which may in itself be a fragment of Encke. Hannah Millington, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for fragment
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fragment
Verb
  • Bullet train services were temporarily disrupted, and cameras mounted on buildings showed visible shaking.
    Anthony Trotter, ABC News, 6 Jan. 2026
  • However, drinking caffeinated tea too late in the day can disrupt sleep.
    Anna Giorgi, Verywell Health, 6 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • Colandrea adds a dynamic offensive piece under coordinator Dana Holgorsen.
    Mitch Sherman, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2026
  • But on Tuesday, Duff's husband, the musician Matthew Koma, couldn't help but say his piece.
    Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Winning slates sometimes fracture in office.
    Kevin Rennie, Hartford Courant, 10 Jan. 2026
  • That confidence began to fracture long before today's headlines.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 9 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • But just as my father and his family tried to breathe a sigh of relief and rebuild a fraction of their ruptured lives, Israel kicked them out again in 1967, this time to Egypt.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 10 Nov. 2025
  • Koolaburra by Ugg Burree Platform Slippers Fans of the popular Ugg Tasman Slippers will appreciate how similar this pair looks (and for a fraction of the price).
    Rylee Johnston, PEOPLE, 8 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • Even one of the greatest ever to play this game, Joe Root, could not work out how to break free of the 36-year-old’s shackles here, failing to score a single run off him for 23 balls in a row before finally yielding to the python-like grip when missing one that homed in on his pads.
    Tim Spiers, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2026
  • The Brisbane Stadium is expected to break ground this year, with a target completion date of 2031.
    Oscar Holland, CNN Money, 7 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • The sensor supports 13-bit output, allowing richer color representation and smoother tonal transitions.
    Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 10 Jan. 2026
  • And probably died a little bit more when the Tyler Loop field goal that would have sent him home — maybe for good — was in the air before drifting wide right.
    Mike Lupica, New York Daily News, 10 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • By removing microscopic defects and smoothing the surface, this coating ensures efficient energy flow while preventing the cell from disintegrating under intense heat.
    Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 12 Jan. 2026
  • The very flying machine that now seemed destined to disintegrate in midair with us and the little girl.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 12 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • If a vehicle receives no bids and the car owner shows up, the towing company would be required to offer the car back to them at whatever their costs are before selling it for scrap.
    Dave Altimari, ProPublica, 7 Jan. 2026
  • Davis officials noted, however, that local rates reflect a broader range of services, including on-street yard material pickup, 24-hour recycling drop-off centers and early adoption of food-scrap and organics programs.
    Daniel Lempres, Sacbee.com, 7 Jan. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Fragment.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fragment. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.

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