branches 1 of 2

plural of branch
1
as in limbs
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 affiliates
a local unit of an organization a bank with many neighborhood branches

Synonyms & Similar Words

3
as in tributaries
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 departments
a large unit of a governmental, business, or educational organization the two branches of the U.S. Congress

Synonyms & Similar Words

branches

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of branch

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 branches
Noun
In the six months since the bill’s last debate in parliament, more than 120,000 young adults have started smoking, claimed the letter, signed by the leaders of major hospitals, cancer charities, and branches of the National Health Service (NHS). Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 3 Nov. 2025 Noise of trees crackling and sap hissing, branches thumping down, timber being dragged and chopped. Literary Hub, 3 Nov. 2025 For trees with dark, thin bark, install tree wraps around the trunk from the base of the soil line up to the tree’s lowest branches. Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 Nov. 2025 Two days later, her car was found on Avery’s lot in a thicket of branches with a disconnected battery. Nicole Briese, PEOPLE, 31 Oct. 2025 Meanwhile, a recent constitutional reform that gave Mexico’s ruling party control over all three branches of government has fed fears of rising state control over the economy, eroding confidence. Jeronimo Gonzalez, semafor.com, 31 Oct. 2025 This frog, with its long fingers and large red eyes, was found perched on tree branches in an elfin forest. Real-Time News Team, Miami Herald, 31 Oct. 2025 What Happens Next Local forecast updates are issued by regional NWS branches on the agency’s website and social media channels. Joe Edwards, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2025 Things also scurried in the branches above. Ryan Knighton, AFAR Media, 31 Oct. 2025
Verb
His demise, paired with the disappearance of mobster-type Nicky Caccimelio (Bobby Cannavale), sets the trio on the first phase of their adventures, which inevitably branches into fresh red herrings in customary Only Murders fashion. Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 9 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for branches
Noun
  • At the other end of the pitch, in the 66th minute, Nashville goalkeeper Joe Willis spread his limbs to deny Luis Suárez from close range.
    Henry Bushnell, New York Times, 2 Nov. 2025
  • Tree limbs could be blown down and a few power outages may result.
    Anna Skinner, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Ripple, which is closely linked to the XRP cryptocurrency, said the funding round was led by funds managed by affiliates of Fortress Investment Group, affiliates of Citadel Securities, Pantera Capital, Galaxy Digital, Brevan Howard, and Marshall Wace.
    Arjun Kharpal, CNBC, 5 Nov. 2025
  • Ripley believes his local ABC affiliates should still have their content, primarily news and sports, carried through to YouTube TV subscribers, regardless of Disney’s position.
    Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 5 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • To date, this and other restoration efforts have helped to restore oyster reefs across nearly 1,800 acres in ten different tributaries to the bay.
    JSTOR Daily, JSTOR Daily, 31 Oct. 2025
  • The new pipeline route will cross more than 180 Lake Superior tributaries, raising environmental concerns for tribal and environmental groups.
    Laura Schulte, jsonline.com, 29 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The nonprofit foundation, Spirit of Children, brings Halloween to kids in hospitals across the country and also raises funds for the facilities’ child life departments.
    Sam Gillette, PEOPLE, 25 Oct. 2025
  • Chapter Two resets everything back to the start of the day to show more departments.
    Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 25 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • This one radiates intrigue without trying, a cool blend of rhubarb, rose, and vetiver that reads sophisticated but spontaneous.
    Adam Hurly, Robb Report, 5 Nov. 2025
  • Replace your traditional table runner with a DIY magnolia garland that radiates seasonal charm.
    Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • In addition, the anti-inflammatory nutrients in purple rice help to protect cells from damage.
    Bethany Thayer, Freep.com, 25 Oct. 2025
  • The system works in bacteria, human cells, and even live tumor models, offering a safer and more precise alternative to traditional techniques.
    Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 24 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • State agencies are responsible for operating these programs with support from the federal Department of Agriculture.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 26 Oct. 2025
  • Congress failed to pass a budget or temporary funding measure before the federal fiscal year ended on October 1, forcing many federal agencies to cease all non-mandatory operations.
    Aliss Higham, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The Calm team worked with the film’s sound designer, Lee Salevan, and composer Bryce Dessner, utilizing the film’s sound stems and score cues overlaid with sections of dialogue from Bentley and Greg Kwedar’s script.
    Dana Harris-Bridson, IndieWire, 7 Nov. 2025
  • Truhn, who retired from the State Department in 2013, told the Herald that the ‘Ndrangheta’s success in the region stems in part from its ability to provide services that local governments cannot.
    Karen Wang, Miami Herald, 7 Nov. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Branches.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/branches. Accessed 8 Nov. 2025.

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