BRANCHES Synonyms: 97 Similar and Opposite Words

branches 1 of 2

noun

plural of branch

as in limbs

a major outgrowth from the main stem of a woody plant I loved climbing among the branches of that old tree

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in affiliates

a local unit of an organization a bank with many neighborhood branches

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as in tributaries

a stream that flows into a larger body of water the Blue Nile, the Atbara, and the White Nile are the three primary branches of the Nile River

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in departments

a large unit of a governmental, business, or educational organization the two branches of the U.S. Congress

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branches

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of branch

as in radiates

to extend outwards from or as if from a central point threads branched from the center of the spider web

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 branches

Noun

Trees and branches were taken out, and live wires went down. — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 22 June 2026 Ensure the mulch is pulled back from the main trunk, as far out as the branches reach, to avoid rot. — Martha Stewart, 2 July 2026 The researchers pulled back branches and dead leaves around the base of a tree until the python’s glossy scales caught the sunlight. — Ashley Miznazi, Miami Herald, 2 July 2026 The aisles were so choked that blooms and branches brushed against us, the air heady with the scent of lilies, roses, eucalyptus, and sweet decay. — Adam Erace, Travel + Leisure, 2 July 2026 Crews — including at least one person captured wearing an old crew shirt from a previous Swift tour — were seen wheeling in greenery and flowers, as well as knobby tree branches and lush foliage. — Zoe Sottile, CNN Money, 4 July 2026 Fallen branches, dead plant material, faded mulch, and leaves gathering in corners can make an otherwise beautiful garden feel forgotten. — Jessica Safavimehr, Southern Living, 2 July 2026 Montesquieu was especially celebrated for his account of how and why political power needs to be separated into branches. — Robert A. Ballingall, The Conversation, 2 July 2026 Since Independence Day is a federal holiday, most branches of national banks such as Bank of America, Wells Fargo and CitiBank, among others, will be closed on July 4. — Gabe Hauari, USA Today, 2 July 2026

Verb

His demise, paired with the disappearance of mobster-type Nicky Caccimelio (Bobby Cannavale), sets the trio on the first phase of their adventures, which inevitably branches into fresh red herrings in customary Only Murders fashion. — Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 9 Sep. 2025

Recent Examples of Synonyms for branches

Noun

Deirdre massaged my limbs while the cups went to work on my perpetually achy upper back.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 July 2026
Gribbin was fitted with prosthetic limbs, quickly regained her ability to walk, returned to sports and got her driver’s license.

— Kim Chandler, Los Angeles Times, 2 July 2026

Definition of limbs

Noun

What other industry can boast proprietary, transaction-level purchase data at the scale of performance creators and affiliates?

— Lauren Newman, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026
As one executive put it, teams have to pick their roster battles and try to stay covered at the higher affiliates.

— Brittany Ghiroli, New York Times, 1 July 2026

Definition of affiliates

Noun

Rough weather rolled over the Colorado community of Evergreen on Wednesday night, swelling Bear Creek and tributaries and tossing debris and mud into homes and downtown.

— Alan Gionet, CBS News, 25 June 2026
The property features over a mile of frontage along Fall River and controls two of the river’s primary spring-fed tributaries — Spring Creek and Lava Creek, according to Hall and Hall.

— David Caraccio, Sacbee.com, 23 June 2026

Definition of tributaries

Noun

Since the audit tool was introduced, multiple departments have announced arrests of officers across the state, signaling a level of misuse that may have previously gone undetected.

— Taylor Croft, AJC.com, 9 July 2026
Of about 5% of hospitals globally that have international patient departments, Stephano estimated less than 1% are internationally accredited.

— Stephanie Yang, CNN Money, 8 July 2026

Definition of departments

Verb

Her high ponytail worn to Wimbledon, however, feels like a playful departure—one that radiates serious Sporty Spice vibes without sacrificing an ounce of royal polish.

— Marci Robin, Allure, 2 July 2026
This way, the whole surface area of each droplet radiates away heat.

— IEEE Spectrum, IEEE Spectrum, 11 June 2026

Definition of radiates

Noun

Cetaphil’s formula addresses crepey skin by adding hydration, which helps to plump and smooth fine lines, while also working to rejuvenate skin cells and diminish signs of crepiness over time.

— Reece Andavolgyi, InStyle, 8 July 2026
This loss is often the result of an autoimmune process in which the body's immune system mistakenly attacks those cells.

— Daryl Austin, USA Today, 8 July 2026

Definition of cells

Noun

Because of the convictions, Flores will no longer be eligible to work for law enforcement at any level, including local, state and federal agencies.

— Seamus Bozeman Follow, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2026
Then, in 2012, redevelopment agencies were dissolved by the state and their obligations transferred to successor agencies.

— Jennifer Van Grove, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 July 2026

Definition of agencies

Verb

Applying mulch directly against plant stems traps moisture, leading to rotting and other issues.

— Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 July 2026
That prediction stems in part from his expectation that technology companies will crank up their prices as their products become more essential to companies like Allianz.

— Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson, semafor.com, 3 July 2026