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

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

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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
Noam Galai/Getty Images As Pence highlighted on Thursday, Article 1 of the U.S. Constitution establishes the structure and powers of the legislative branch and grants Congress authority over taxes and duties. Hugh Cameron, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 May 2025 Today, prime numbers and their properties are studied in number theory, a branch of mathematics and active area of research today. Jeremiah Bartz, The Conversation, 30 May 2025
Verb
Since retirement, the 48-year-old has branched into many areas, including marketing, finance, media and property. Dermot Corrigan, New York Times, 24 Apr. 2025 Veins branching along my skin like the waterways of my mother country. Lauren Vuong, Mercury News, 19 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for branch
Recent Examples of Synonyms for branch
Noun
  • Without warning, the robot loses control, thrashing its limbs, knocking over equipment and forcing the technicians to scramble out of harm's way.
    Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 2 June 2025
  • Several young men, including Reed’s grandson, were helping to haul debris, trees and limbs to the curb May 23.
    Gael Langdon, Arkansas Online, 1 June 2025
Noun
  • The Houston affiliate, where Griñán worked for 30 years, announced his death in a news report Monday.
    Carlos De Loera, Los Angeles Times, 28 May 2025
  • Charlotte, top minor league affiliate of the Florida Panthers, won 44 games and finished second in the AHL Atlantic.
    Steve Lyttle, Charlotte Observer, 28 May 2025
Noun
  • Best of all was hitting 4-iron off the pine straw on the par-5 13th that narrowly cleared the tributary of Rae’s Creek and set up a 10-foot eagle.
    Doug Ferguson, Chicago Tribune, 12 Apr. 2025
  • In November, the U.S. and Mexico signed the Minute 331 agreement, which focused on improving the reliability of Rio Grande water deliveries — in part by suggesting two alternative tributaries through which the transfers could occur.
    Sharon Udasin, The Hill, 29 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • The department confirmed the person arrested was an LGBTQ activist.
    Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 31 May 2025
  • The department said each area published on Thursday will receive formal notification they are deemed noncompliant and if they are believed to be in violation of any federal criminal statutes.
    Brendan Cole, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 May 2025
Verb
  • The primary suite radiates a somber sort of opulence.
    Daniel Cote, Robb Report, 4 June 2025
  • That attitude radiated through each look on the runway, where every model felt like a character in an Autty Simone dreamworld.
    Karissa Mitchell, Essence, 2 June 2025
Noun
  • After a brain injury, NMDA receptors can become overexcited, causing further cell death, so quieting these receptors might prevent additional damage.
    Stephanie Pappas, Scientific American, 29 May 2025
  • Victor said the immigration officer moved the men to another cell.
    Lauren Petracca, New York Times, 29 May 2025
Noun
  • His departure, announced Wednesday evening, marks the end of a turbulent chapter that included thousands of layoffs, the evisceration of government agencies and reams of litigation.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 29 May 2025
  • In the meantime, the agency will keep chugging along on old infrastructure.
    Zach Wichter, USA Today, 29 May 2025
Verb
  • This tall, airy verbena is very striking when the wispy stems wave in the breeze.
    Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 3 June 2025
  • Another hobbyist shared their experience of propagating by just planting a lemon tree stem in soil, which seems like a much simpler option.
    Lauren Thomann, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Branch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/branch. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.

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