BRANCHES Synonyms: 97 Similar and Opposite Words

branches 1 of 2

noun

plural of branch

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

as in affiliates

a local unit of an organization a bank with many neighborhood branches

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

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

as in radiates

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 branches

Noun

Most branches have maker spaces for artists looking to record music with professional studio equipment. — Caden Perry, jsonline.com, 4 Sep. 2026 Overall, the bank plans to add 100 new branches across its footprint in the next two years, with 20 targeted specifically for the Charlotte market. — Charlotte Observer, 4 Sep. 2026 Lowe’s has over 1,750 home improvement stores, 540 branches and 120 distribution centers. — Saleen Martin, Louisville Courier Journal, 3 Sep. 2026 Some are sweet-scented blooms that fill the branches of Southern trees. — Fritz Hahn, Washington Post, 3 Sep. 2026 Russia responded by closing Russian branches of the Goethe Institute, a German cultural organization. — Mark Sappenfield, Christian Science Monitor, 3 Sep. 2026 The other, called tau, takes on a configuration that creates sticky knots inside the neuron, particularly in the body and branches known as dendrites. — Mike McRae 03, New Atlas, 3 Sep. 2026 Tri-County acknowledged issues with tree branches touching power lines and committed additional resources for tree trimming and system inspections, while local businesses reported lost revenue from outages that often last one to two hours. — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 Aug. 2026 There are obviously branches of computer science in which computer hardware and software are essential, such as the design of operating systems or the study of memory management. — Ben Brubaker, Quanta Magazine, 28 Aug. 2026

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

The morgue set up in a nearby branch of Brooks Brothers that received limbs one at a time.

— Editorial Board, Washington Post, 10 Sep. 2026
Both the lawsuit and prosecutors allege that Burke used a chainsaw to sever Celeste’s limbs in his garage and tried to collect the blood in a kiddie pool.

— Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 8 Sep. 2026

Definition of limbs

Noun

The ranchers depend on snowmelt that feeds the Colorado River and its tributaries to nourish grasses and hay pastures for their herds.

— Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 5 Sep. 2026
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

Definition of tributaries

Noun

In Thurman’s case, despite clear signs of an ectopic pregnancy, two emergency departments sent her home without resolving the complication.

— Andrea Suozzo, ProPublica, 9 Sep. 2026
The Sacramento County Board of Supervisors amended its current budget to add nearly $3 million to the District Attorney’s Office, and also to give some money back to several other services in other departments.

— Theresa Clift, Sacbee.com, 9 Sep. 2026

Definition of departments

Verb

What gets prototyped there radiates into field trips, after-school programs and summer camps that reach thousands of children a year.

— Afdhel Aziz, Forbes.com, 20 Aug. 2026
Bieniemy radiates discipline and accountability and, of course, carries an intimate understanding of the offense and has Reid’s trust.

— Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of radiates

Noun

The big story This photograph taken on November 5, 2025 shows employees inspecting photovoltaic (PV) cells used in solar panels at an Adani Group factory in Gujarat’s port city of Mundra.

— Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 10 Sep. 2026
Patients can be treated with a procedure or a cancer drug that stops cells from growing.

— Andrea Suozzo, ProPublica, 9 Sep. 2026

Definition of cells

Noun

Some European law enforcement agencies chasing leads spurred by information in the Epstein files say the Justice Department has not responded to their requests.

— Maegan Vazquez, Washington Post, 9 Sep. 2026
Trump cut back the office, along with other national security agencies, as part of his larger government reductions.

— Greg Myre, NPR, 9 Sep. 2026

Definition of agencies

Verb

Harvest stems weekly to encourage bushy growth and prevent the plant from getting leggy.

— Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 1 Sep. 2026
Critics have said the size of the gap stems in large part from Connecticut’s lack of investment in special education, which is meant to reduce those disparities as much as possible.

— Theo Peck-Suzuki, Hartford Courant, 31 Aug. 2026