The phrase "was part of" can be modified with a wide range of synonyms to convey a variety of meanings. Some examples include "belonged to," "was a component of," "was integral to," "was a member of," "was included in," and "contributed to." These phrases can be useful in different contexts, such as when describing a person's past experience or when discussing a team's composition. By using synonyms for "was part of," writers can vary their phrasing and convey different shades of meaning, adding depth and nuance to their writing.