branch 1 of 2

1
as in limb
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
2
as in affiliate
a local unit of an organization a bank with many neighborhood branches

Synonyms & Similar Words

3
as in tributary
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

4
as in department
a large unit of a governmental, business, or educational organization the two branches of the U.S. Congress

Synonyms & Similar Words

branch

2 of 2

verb

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 branch
Noun
As with Gitana 17, five arrows in the design represent the five branches of the Rothschild family. Tom Mullen, Forbes.com, 18 July 2025 That particular branch was a mid-engined sports car conceived as a joint Porsche-Volkswagen project under the aegis of Ferdinand Piëch, at the time in charge of Porsche research and development. Robert Ross, Robb Report, 18 July 2025
Verb
For even more perks, try growing several rows of branching sunflowers as a natural windbreak to keep cornstalks from toppling over in windy weather. Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 June 2025 Her lungs had crashed as the virus branched through her body. Rick Jervis, USA TODAY, 9 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for branch
Recent Examples of Synonyms for branch
Noun
  • Untamed lingers on the body’s bluish decay and gouged limbs, a macabre counter to the suggestion that being outside will rejuvenate your spirit and your body.
    Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 17 July 2025
  • Techniques to treat the bone cancer osteosarcoma without amputating the patient’s limb, for example, were first developed in dogs.
    Knowable Magazine, Smithsonian Magazine, 16 July 2025
Noun
  • Gil threw 36 of his 50 pitches for strikes against the New Hampshire Fisher Cats, the Double-A affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays.
    Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 13 July 2025
  • The group is offering ransomware affiliates 80 percent of proceeds for targeting United States companies.
    Emil Sayegh, Forbes.com, 12 July 2025
Noun
  • Venues of all sizes along the Guadalupe and its tributaries were flooded, with some, such as Lone Star Floathouse in New Braunfels, sustaining heavy damage.
    Josh Crutchmer, Rolling Stone, 9 July 2025
  • The agreement also includes altogether new goals, such as a first-time goal for freshwater mussels, calling for development of mussel conservation plans in five bay tributaries by 2035.
    Christine Condon, Baltimore Sun, 8 July 2025
Noun
  • Employers believe that workers in specific departments, like sales and marketing (85%) and human resources (78%), will derive significant value from AI implementation.
    Rachel Wells, Forbes.com, 16 July 2025
  • By the time our department chief got word that there had been a mass shooting at PittFest, his senior resident was incommunicado.
    Ryan Schwartz, TVLine, 15 July 2025
Verb
  • The immense gravity of these central black holes generates huge amounts of friction in the accretion disk, which becomes very hot and radiates energy strongly, especially in ultraviolet wavelengths.
    Robert Lea, Space.com, 9 July 2025
  • Juliana Ross hopes to amplify LGBTQ+ voices Julian (Juliana) Ross found his calling in elementary school, drawn to the confidence and beauty that drag queens radiated.
    Ana Gutierrez, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025
Noun
  • The other plant co-operated with General Motors in Warren, Ohio, will continue producing cells with nickel cobalt manganese aluminum chemistry, LG Energy Solution said.
    Jackie Charniga, Freep.com, 14 July 2025
  • Acids are a form of a chemical exfoliant to remove dead skin cells, smooth texture, unclog pores, and fade hyperpigmentation.
    Larry Stansbury, Essence, 14 July 2025
Noun
  • The city approved her permits and the state environmental agency said the home would not negatively affect the environment.
    Andrew Wimer, Forbes.com, 15 July 2025
  • Advertisement Supporters of the agency have decried the Supreme Court decision, warning about its potential impact.
    Chad de Guzman, Time, 15 July 2025
Verb
  • The disease typically progresses from the base of the plant upward on leaves and stems.
    Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 12 July 2025
  • Forming a slowly spreading colony of 24-inch-tall, gracefully arching stems, plants produce lightly fragrant white spring flowers that hang like little white bells from the underside of each stem.
    Paul Cappiello, The Courier-Journal, 2 July 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Branch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/branch. Accessed 24 Jul. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on branch

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!