bough

as in branch
a major outgrowth from the main stem of a woody plant a tree bough fell on my car during the windstorm

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 bough Hollywood's biggest names decked the halls with boughs of holly and enjoyed the Christmas holiday on Wednesday. Caroline Thayer, Fox News, 26 Dec. 2024 If the fates allow / Hang a shining star upon the highest bough / And have yourself a merry little Christmas now. Michael Barnes, Austin American-Statesman, 23 Dec. 2024 Take a stroll through Condé Nast’s halls, where staffers draw inspiration from the spring/summer 2025 collections and replace boughs of holly with knickknacks and doodads dangling from their everyday bags. Ciarra Lorren Zatorski, Vogue, 5 Dec. 2024 And yes, while the ever-present joyful music, bright lights, pine boughs, discounts and holiday events make people want to shop this time of year, marketing messages are also key to these sales. Megan Poinski, Forbes, 4 Dec. 2024 See All Example Sentences for bough
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bough
Noun
  • According to Joe Truzman, a senior analyst with the FDD, the Arrow Unit’s membership is drawn from multiple sources in Gaza, including police officers, operatives belonging to the Ministry of Interior’s security branches, fighters belonging to terrorist factions, and civilian volunteers.
    Sean Durns, The Washington Examiner, 12 Sep. 2025
  • Cuts in those branches of HHS cascade down and damage the WTC Health Program's effectiveness, advocates say.
    Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • The iguanas are known for their distinctive casque (helmet-like crest) and long, thin limbs.
    Angel Saunders, PEOPLE, 10 Sep. 2025
  • Silicon Valley was, of course, the initial heart of the tech sector, but AI appears to have longer limbs, reaching into cities and sectors where basic tech is now retreating.
    Diana Olick, CNBC, 9 Sep. 2025

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“Bough.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bough. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.

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