branch 1 of 2

noun

ˈbranch How to pronounce branch (audio)
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

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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

as in to radiate
to extend outwards from or as if from a central point threads branched from the center of the spider web

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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
The structure was decorated with fir branches and purple fabric—two elements chosen for their strong symbolic meaning. — Stefania Conrieri, Vanity Fair, 9 Sep. 2026 The actors branch is the largest bloc in the Academy, and nothing moves a room of performers like a film that treats performance as life or death. — Clayton Davis, Variety, 9 Sep. 2026
Verb
Pink Beach on Komodo Island offers another relatively gentle snorkeling stop, with branching corals and sea fans frequented by parrotfish and anemonefish, among other species. — Sarah Bruning, Travel + Leisure, 27 Aug. 2026 What’s next in the refresher battle Starbucks refreshers are already branching well beyond basic fruit-and-lemonade territory. — Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 24 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for branch
Recent Examples of Synonyms for branch
  1. limb
  2. affiliate
  3. tributary
  4. department
  5. radiate
  6. cell
  7. agency
  8. stem
Noun
  • Blue is a giant stick figure with what seems to be four limbs, standing on what might be one leg, while the other is lifted.
    — Scott Simon, NPR, 5 Sep. 2026
  • There are also the journalists, the athletes, and the kids who spend sunny days doing contact improv, which was invented at Oberlin, tangling their limbs in the grass outside the library.
    — Jesse Dougherty, New Yorker, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of limb
Noun
  • The mother, Brionna Washington, shared her story with CNN affiliate WVTM.
    — Avni Trivedi, CNN Money, 7 Sep. 2026
  • Residents began preparations as early as Wednesday, a manager of Kauai’s only Home Depot told NBC News affiliate KHNL.
    — Phil Helsel, NBC news, 7 Sep. 2026
Definition of affiliate
Noun
  • That allowed sea water to infiltrate freshwater tributaries across the peninsula, especially in lagoons and deltas where clam and mussel farms provided ample prey.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Families can enjoy the tributary and take in the fall foliage at spots like peaceful Wild River State Park and Interstate State Park, which offers clifftop views of the river.
    — Beth Luberecki, USA Today, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of tributary
Noun
  • At one point in the third quarter of South Carolina’s shutout win, athletic director Jeremiah Donati and other athletic department staffers were handing out free water bottles to fans.
    — Christopher Kamrani, New York Times, 7 Sep. 2026
  • States are passing laws requiring their education departments to create such guidance; Maryland, Idaho, Oklahoma and Virginia all added new laws this year, reported K-12 Dive.
    — Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 6 Sep. 2026
Definition of department
Verb
  • Andreas brings him to a rich guy’s place, where Luca catches the eye of a flamboyant coke-snorting crossdresser whose affect radiates malevolence.
    — Jay Weissberg, Variety, 4 Sep. 2026
  • This fall, hair trends are all about natural-looking, dimensional blondes that radiate understated luxury.
    — Kat Suico, InStyle, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of radiate
Noun
  • On the one hand, oxidative stress acts as a trigger to tell the body to rebuild and develop mitochondria in the cells — improving an athlete’s endurance capacity.
    — Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
  • The researchers say larger commercial-format cells and broader operating conditions will be needed to determine whether the strategy can translate into practical batteries.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 7 Sep. 2026
Definition of cell
Noun
  • The two agencies notified several individuals in the Virginia political world that their phones had been tapped as part of the investigation into Lucas.
    — Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 4 Sep. 2026
  • While more than 100 law enforcement agencies across the country have ended their contracts with Flock Safety in recent weeks over privacy concerns, the company and the state of Georgia are deeply tied to one another.
    — Irene Wright, USA Today, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of agency
Verb
  • The intent was to stem the flow of older athletes coming into college sports now that athletes can be paid by their schools and make money through NIL deals.
    — Ralph D. Russo, New York Times, 5 Sep. 2026
  • The run-up in inflation has stemmed primarily from a massive jump in gas prices, with oil tankers mostly unable to transit through the Strait of Hormuz.
    — Elisabeth Buchwald, CNN Money, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of stem

Phrases Containing branch

Browse Nearby Words

brambly
branch
branched
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Cite this Entry

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

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More from Merriam-Webster on branch

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about branch

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