branch 1 of 2

Definition of branchnext
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

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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

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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
In smaller yards, this can easily extend into a neighbor's property—a real problem, considering how brittle silver maple branches can be. Helena Madden, Martha Stewart, 4 Apr. 2026 For good-size fruits, thin any marble-size fruits on mature stone fruit, apple and pear trees to just one fruit along every 4 to 6 inches of branch. Nan Sterman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Apr. 2026
Verb
In nature, the same branching logic can be seen in river networks, trees and the human lung. Lawrence Rosenberg, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2026 These nerve cells develop alongside structural tissues, forming branching connections throughout the autonomous beings. IEEE Spectrum, 31 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for branch
Recent Examples of Synonyms for branch
Noun
  • In the priority 3 group are items like examining the moon's limb and terminator, appraising the celestial body's volcanic history, and making observations of Earth from deep space.
    Leonard David, Space.com, 6 Apr. 2026
  • Now, the crew is seeing more topography from the moon’s western limb.
    Jackie Wattles, CNN Money, 6 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Former Georgia Southern University quarterback Shai Werts was suspended from the team after he was pulled over for speeding in South Carolina and charged with cocaine possession, CNN affiliate WXIA reported.
    Holly Yan, CNN Money, 5 Apr. 2026
  • In Pima County, Arizona, the local Crime Stoppers affiliate is known as 88-CRIME, and the number is 520-882-7463.
    Michael Ruiz, FOXNews.com, 5 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • On the Columbia River and its tributaries, the party had to dig out five new canoes and then paddle them through treacherous rapids.
    Craig Fehrman, Space.com, 6 Apr. 2026
  • That matters because snowpack makes up the bulk of the state’s water supply; Colorado is heavily dependent on surface water in rivers and tributaries fed by melting snow in the soaring Rocky Mountains, in addition to backup supplies in reservoirs.
    Ella Nilsen, CNN Money, 6 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • The police department has forwarded an affidavit in support of his arrest to the Douglas County District Attorney’s Office, which will consider whether to file charges against him.
    Caroline Zimmerman, Kansas City Star, 9 Apr. 2026
  • The department is scrutinizing all contracts signed under his predecessor, Kristi Noem.
    ABC News, ABC News, 9 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Administrator Crystal Ruth switches on dozens of heat lamps that radiate a yellow hue to warm at least 80 disabled, abandoned or formerly abused animals that call the rescue home.
    Julian Camejo, Miami Herald, 4 Apr. 2026
  • In the following months, painful shocks radiated through her chest and back.
    Brett Kelman, USA Today, 4 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • The Parenthood alum discussed his father Dave Shepard's longtime health struggles and addiction journey, culminating in a diagnosis of small-cell carcinoma in 2012.
    Madison E. Goldberg, PEOPLE, 10 Apr. 2026
  • What's more, fiber is essential for digestion, while lignans protect cells from oxidative stress.
    Kirsten Nunez, Martha Stewart, 10 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • The Service’s regional headquarters will vanish, along with most of its research facilities and experimental forests—and also quite likely the sense of mission that has animated the agency for more than a century.
    Bill McKibben, New Yorker, 7 Apr. 2026
  • And the agency will start building a base there over the next few years.
    Mike Wall, Space.com, 7 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Mucus oozed out of the coral stems, a telltale response to trauma.
    Jeffrey Marlow, New Yorker, 5 Apr. 2026
  • And many are struggling, according to the Cathedral Music Trust, which was founded in 1956 to stem the decline of church music after World War II.
    ABC News, ABC News, 5 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Branch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/branch. Accessed 11 Apr. 2026.

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