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
Without a central agency, those functions could be fragmented or halted altogether, with consequences for both students and institutions. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 21 Mar. 2025 Instead of fully funding our state land conservation program, Florida Forever, the funds have been fragmented by statutory carve-outs and agency spending since the passage of Amendment 1. —Sarah Gledhill, Orlando Sentinel, 2 Mar. 2025
Noun
New at the fair: The Grand Planetarium Eccentric Meteorite is a singular novelty watch crafted from a genuine meteorite fragment believed to have landed on Earth 50,000 years ago. —Lily Templeton, Footwear News, 1 Apr. 2025 For the study, the researchers drilled two-gram samples out of the inner walls of two vessel fragments excavated by Schliemann. —Eli Wizevich, Smithsonian Magazine, 1 Apr. 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
  • This decision by the Russian Federation will undoubtedly endanger lives and disrupt critical HIV prevention efforts for ordinary Russian citizens.
    — Stephen Daw, Billboard, 10 Apr. 2025
  • Behind the scenes there was no doubt other dreams were dashed and processes disrupted.
    — Evan Clark, Footwear News, 10 Apr. 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
  • The recall was caused by the vehicles potentially having a rear axle horizontal mounting bolt that may fracture and cause the driveshaft to disconnect.
    — James Powel, USA Today, 31 Mar. 2025
  • First baseman Tyler Black, the No. 6 prospect in the Brewers’ system was expected to open the season with Nashville but will instead miss the first 6-8 weeks of the season after fracturing the hamate bone in his right hand.
    — Andrew Wagner, Forbes.com, 28 Mar. 2025
Definition of fracture
Noun
  • The Chinese tariffs that will pummel soybeans, the primary aircraft category, the primary category for vaccines, plasma and blood fractions, cotton and grain sorghum.
    — Ken Roberts, Forbes.com, 4 Apr. 2025
  • Full Story Tax Watch Senate budget calls for fraction of cuts sought by House The Senate voted Thursday to advance its budget resolution, setting up a weekend vote for the upper chamber’s precursor bill for Republicans’ mainline tax cut and spending legislation.
    — Aris Folley, The Hill, 4 Apr. 2025
Definition of fraction
Verb
  • The only Heat players ruled out Wednesday are Nikola Jovic (broken right hand), Kevin Love (personal reasons) and Dru Smith (left Achilles surgery).
    — Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 10 Apr. 2025
  • Sign up for Entertainment Weekly's free daily newsletter to get breaking news, exclusive first looks, recaps, reviews, interviews with your favorite stars, and more.
    — Dalton Ross, EW.com, 10 Apr. 2025
Definition of break
Noun
  • Everybody was a little bit like at the end of summer camp, although a bit too grown up for this to be true.
    — Peter White, Deadline, 7 Apr. 2025
  • Relegation will make their search for the next that little bit tougher.
    — Philip Buckingham, New York Times, 7 Apr. 2025
Definition of bit
Verb
  • In the Parsi tradition, the bones are left there to gradually disintegrate over time, completing the return to nature without defiling the earth.
    — Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 4 Apr. 2025
  • The premier Copley Cup — which for decades drew the nation’s elite men’s varsity eights for an early-season east/west showdown – has disintegrated into an alumni race.
    — Bill Center, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Mar. 2025
Definition of disintegrate
Noun
  • Then, toss in kitchen scraps such as banana peels, coffee grounds, eggshells, and tea bags.
    — Claire Hoppe Norgaard, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 Apr. 2025
  • But over the next nine episodes of season one, now airing on Netflix, the audience is fed scraps of truth about Danny’s professional and personal relationships with Xander.
    — Sam Reed, Glamour, 3 Apr. 2025
Definition of scrap

Browse Nearby Words

fragility
fragment
fragmental
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Fragment.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fragment. Accessed 15 Apr. 2025.

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