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

Relevance

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
The prospect of full normalization of relations with the U.S., even as Europe doubles down on its previous pro-Ukraine policies, suggests that the global order is becoming fragmented in ways that will prevent any future attempt to isolate Russia. —Fred Weir, The Christian Science Monitor, 5 Mar. 2025 The industry generates an enormous amount of it, yet most of that information is fragmented, making AI’s full potential hard to reach. —Derek Streat, Forbes.com, 2 Apr. 2025
Noun
Conservators took 19 years to restore the work, which went back on view in 2015, but Factum Arte sought to improve upon it by scanning, printing, and casting each of the fragments before reassembling it. —Jacqui Palumbo, CNN Money, 3 Apr. 2025 Studying the structure of these fragments, Janis and her team found that some species of mammals were already starting to switch from arboreal habitats to terrestrial ones, swapping out one home for another, millions of years in advance of the asteroid. —Sam Walters, Discover Magazine, 2 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 club confirmed that Walker, on loan from Manchester City, fractured his elbow on Tuesday but did not put a timeframe on his recovery.
    — Sam Joseph, New York Times, 9 Apr. 2025
  • Her bill has fractured the conference, surprisingly pitting hard-line conservatives against each other.
    — Rachel Schilke, The Washington Examiner, 4 Apr. 2025
Definition of fracture
Noun
  • As with other agencies affected as part of Mr. Musk’s effort, only a small fraction of AmeriCorps employees remained at the headquarters in Washington on Thursday.
    — Aishvarya Kavi, New York Times, 18 Apr. 2025
  • The posters also assert that these goods, allegedly made in the same production lines as name-brand items, can be purchased for a fraction of the price if consumers bypass U.S. retailers.
    — Matt Robison, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Apr. 2025
Definition of fraction
Verb
  • 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
  • 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
Definition of break
Noun
  • With about 100 vendors, there is a little bit of everything here, from jewelry to pickles and hot sauce to collectible items like coins and comic books.
    — Lisa Cericola, Southern Living, 19 Apr. 2025
  • Perugini: Tell me a little bit about your whiskey journey.
    — Chris Perugini, Forbes.com, 18 Apr. 2025
Definition of bit
Verb
  • The latest observations of the comet suggest the object, made of ancient rock, frozen gases and dust, has disintegrated on its way to a close approach of the sun, which was anticipated to occur on May 1.
    — Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 19 Apr. 2025
  • Mike White slickly disintegrates American family and friend relations — using flashy prurience but no analysis.
    — Armond White, National Review, 9 Apr. 2025
Definition of disintegrate
Noun
  • The two then fought to a split draw in a September 2023 scrap.
    — Trent Reinsmith, Forbes.com, 15 Apr. 2025
  • That could mean an economy in which the owners of A.I. systems capture most of the rewards, and the rest of us are left with the scraps.
    — John Cassidy, New Yorker, 14 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 23 Apr. 2025.

Copy Citation

Share

More from Merriam-Webster on fragment

Nglish: Translation of fragment for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

Words in Disguise: Do these seem familiar?

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?

Every Letter Is Silent, Sometimes: A-Z List of Examples
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Flower Etymologies For Your Spring Garden

8 Words for Lesser-Known Musical Instruments

Birds Say the Darndest Things

10 Words from Taylor Swift Songs (Merriam's Version)

'Blue Moon,' 'Wolf Moon,' and Other Moons to Look for Throughout the Year
See More

Popular

See More

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

Flower Etymologies For Your Spring Garden

8 Words for Lesser-Known Musical Instruments
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Word Game Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
name that thing flower edition
Name That Flower Can you tell the difference between a lilac and a...
See All