branches 1 of 2

Definition of branchesnext
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
KidsFest activities will return for Sundays at Petco Park, with select Sundays throughout the home schedule dedicated to saluting different military branches, accomplishments and history. Jeff Sanders, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Jan. 2026 People brought tree branches to form a circle around the area, while others put flowers and candles at the memorial by a snow bank. Jack Brook, Los Angeles Times, 26 Jan. 2026 How to prepare before strong winds approach Trim tree branches away from your house and power lines. Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 26 Jan. 2026 All public library branches in Manhattan, Queens and Brooklyn were closed, along with a number of museums and other attractions. Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 26 Jan. 2026 Meanwhile ice can accrete on both the top and underside of branches and power lines. Andrea Thompson, Scientific American, 26 Jan. 2026 Library Director Manya Shorr told council members the city used data, including circulation figures, visitor counts and proximity to other branches to determine which sites to recommend for closure, and that the analysis was meant to be objective and not a final decision. María Ramos Pacheco, Dallas Morning News, 26 Jan. 2026 People brought tree branches in a circle to cordon off the area while others put flowers and candles at the memorial by a snow bank. Jack Brook, Twin Cities, 25 Jan. 2026 Other nations, such as Argentina, Russia, Turkey, Venezuela and Zimbabwe, have also seen their executive branches wrest power from their respective central banks, to disastrous economic consequences, Gimbel said. Greg Iacurci,jessica Dickler, CNBC, 12 Jan. 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
  • Former detainees and human rights organizations have documented systematic torture and severe abuses inside the facility, including beatings, electric shocks, suspension by limbs, prolonged stress positions and other degrading treatment.
    Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 31 Jan. 2026
  • Tree limbs could be blown down and a few power outages may result.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 31 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • All opinions expressed by the CNBC Pro contributors are solely their opinions and do not reflect the opinions of CNBC, or its parent company or affiliates, and may have been previously disseminated by them on television, radio, internet or another medium.
    Jeff Kilburg, CNBC, 30 Jan. 2026
  • Five of them involve Hanwha affiliates.
    Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 29 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • The falls are also named for this blue-green water, which eventually flows into the Grand Canyon’s Colorado River through side canyons and tributaries.
    Madison Dapcevich, Outside, 15 Jan. 2026
  • The glaciers of Cayambe, Antisana, and Cotopaxi are the sources of one of those tributaries—the Río Napo.
    Stanley Stewart, Travel + Leisure, 10 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • Dadio said her center has trained 2,200 people and certified 245 trainers who bring the techniques to their departments.
    Mark Pazniokas, Hartford Courant, 31 Jan. 2026
  • After a nearly two-month search for a successor, Yankee GM Brian Cashman elected to stay in house and last week named 44-year-old Mario Garza, who’s spent 16 years in various capacities in the Yankees minor league and scouting departments, as the new international scouting director.
    Bill Madden, New York Daily News, 31 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • While technically hosted in Santa Clara at Levi's Stadium, the energy of this massive global sporting event radiates throughout the entire Bay Area, making San Francisco the central hub for festivities, parties, and fan experiences.
    Noel Burgess, Forbes.com, 22 Jan. 2026
  • At the center of it all, Yerin Ha radiates in a shimmering empire waist gown, silver gloves, and an embellished mask.
    Madeline Hirsch, InStyle, 19 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • Controlling this behavior has been one of the foremost obstacles to realizing high-performance thermal cells.
    Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 12 Jan. 2026
  • As a result, liver immune cells produce more PAF-R receptors, which intensifies inflammation and worsens liver damage.
    Pranjal Malewar, New Atlas, 11 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • Some of those people have been arrested directly by ICE agents while others have been arrested by other law enforcement agencies, placed on immigration holds within county jails and then arrested by ICE while being held.
    Juan Cordoba, Arkansas Online, 12 Jan. 2026
  • Powell testified before Congress in June, saying the renovation was a collaboration with various agencies and that costs had changed over time.
    Bryan Mena, CNN Money, 12 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Stir in chard ribs and stems and cook until slightly softened, about 1 minute.
    Rebecca Firkser, Bon Appetit Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026
  • This inconsistency stems partly from inadequate training but also from a system that doesn't effectively reward excellence or address poor performance.
    Steve Forbes, Forbes.com, 22 Jan. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Branches.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/branches. Accessed 2 Feb. 2026.

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