as in branches
a major outgrowth from the main stem of a woody plant
a tree bough fell on my car during the windstorm
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Recent Examples of boughs
There is something magical about the trees—tourists travel miles to stand under their twisted boughs.
—
Literary Hub, 10 Apr. 2026
The day was otherwise cheerful; sunshine dappled through evergreen boughs.
—Scott Eden, Rolling Stone, 1 Feb. 2026
Then use dead leaves, small boughs, or wood chips to fill in open spaces and make the bottom layer roughly level with the stump.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 31 Jan. 2026
Laying the boughs over perennial beds for the winter to afford them protection from cold and wind.
—David Beaulieu, The Spruce, 8 Jan. 2026
Spray the underside of the branches, focusing on the cut ends of the boughs, Hunter says, because that’s where the moisture can be absorbed the fastest.
—Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 Dec. 2025
Saturnalia, in honor of the sun god, Saturn, included decorating homes with evergreen boughs, wreaths and garlands to symbolize renewal.
—Scott Neuman, NPR, 17 Dec. 2025
Gleaming in the boughs were pearlescent apples.
—Bailey Richards, PEOPLE, 11 Dec. 2025
For example, forest scents have long been synonymous with winter and its holiday traditions, as Christmas trees, wreaths, and pine boughs signal calm and comfort during a season of rest.
—Paul Nicolaus, Outside, 22 Nov. 2025
Literary Hub, 10 Apr. 2026
The day was otherwise cheerful; sunshine dappled through evergreen boughs.
—Scott Eden, Rolling Stone, 1 Feb. 2026
Then use dead leaves, small boughs, or wood chips to fill in open spaces and make the bottom layer roughly level with the stump.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 31 Jan. 2026
Laying the boughs over perennial beds for the winter to afford them protection from cold and wind.
—David Beaulieu, The Spruce, 8 Jan. 2026
Spray the underside of the branches, focusing on the cut ends of the boughs, Hunter says, because that’s where the moisture can be absorbed the fastest.
—Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 Dec. 2025
Saturnalia, in honor of the sun god, Saturn, included decorating homes with evergreen boughs, wreaths and garlands to symbolize renewal.
—Scott Neuman, NPR, 17 Dec. 2025
Gleaming in the boughs were pearlescent apples.
—Bailey Richards, PEOPLE, 11 Dec. 2025
For example, forest scents have long been synonymous with winter and its holiday traditions, as Christmas trees, wreaths, and pine boughs signal calm and comfort during a season of rest.
—Paul Nicolaus, Outside, 22 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for boughs
Noun
-
These winds will be capable of snapping tree branches and downing power lines.—
Ahmad Bajjey,
CBS News,
14 Apr. 2026
-
Each year, approximately a hundred senior officers from across all branches of the armed forces enroll in world-class courses of study at schools such as Harvard, Princeton, and Georgetown as part of the Senior Service College Fellows Program.—
The New Yorker,
New Yorker,
13 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
As a bare stage swiftly gets dressed in black curtains framing its sides, rumblings fester in the dance ensemble’s torsos and limbs; Danker’s music becomes increasingly driving, propulsive (and painfully loud—an issue that persists through most of the evening).—
Lauren Warnecke,
Chicago Tribune,
11 Apr. 2026
-
That’s part of the lip-smacking quality of it all — the idea that certain movie characters deserve to have their limbs bitten off.—
Owen Gleiberman,
Variety,
11 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Boughs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/boughs. Accessed 20 Apr. 2026.
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