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
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
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
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Recent Examples of branches
Wendy Murphy, Boston Herald, 27 Apr. 2026
Use them to dress up walls or decorate tree branches.
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 27 Apr. 2026
But this focus on reforming the judiciary, combined with the politics of the period, meant that comparatively little attention was paid to the other two branches of government—and, in particular, to the slide toward rule by presidential fiat.
—Gregg Nunziata, The Atlantic, 27 Apr. 2026
Due to the Memorial Day holiday, branches that week will be picked up starting Tuesday, May 26, officials said.
—Michelle Mullins, Chicago Tribune, 27 Apr. 2026
Place the bar of soap inside a mesh bag or a single sock, then hang it from the branches of fruit trees, ornamental shrubs, or a garden fence.
—Sj McShane, Martha Stewart, 26 Apr. 2026
How to prepare before strong winds approach Trim tree branches away from your house and power lines.
—Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 25 Apr. 2026
Pebbles twitched, branches waggled, cholla wiggled, weeds erupted then dried up and died.
—Alina Hartounian, NPR, 20 Apr. 2026
How to prepare before strong winds approach Trim tree branches away from your house and power lines.
—Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 19 Apr. 2026
Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 9 Sep. 2025
Noun
Things changed in 2015 when women could finally serve in combat in all branches, so lawyers started filing cases to overturn Rostker.
—Wendy Murphy, Boston Herald, 27 Apr. 2026
Use them to dress up walls or decorate tree branches.
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 27 Apr. 2026
But this focus on reforming the judiciary, combined with the politics of the period, meant that comparatively little attention was paid to the other two branches of government—and, in particular, to the slide toward rule by presidential fiat.
—Gregg Nunziata, The Atlantic, 27 Apr. 2026
Due to the Memorial Day holiday, branches that week will be picked up starting Tuesday, May 26, officials said.
—Michelle Mullins, Chicago Tribune, 27 Apr. 2026
Place the bar of soap inside a mesh bag or a single sock, then hang it from the branches of fruit trees, ornamental shrubs, or a garden fence.
—Sj McShane, Martha Stewart, 26 Apr. 2026
How to prepare before strong winds approach Trim tree branches away from your house and power lines.
—Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 25 Apr. 2026
Pebbles twitched, branches waggled, cholla wiggled, weeds erupted then dried up and died.
—Alina Hartounian, NPR, 20 Apr. 2026
How to prepare before strong winds approach Trim tree branches away from your house and power lines.
—Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 19 Apr. 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
-
But although the edifice built at great expense—by Fannie Lou Hamer, by John Lewis, by the bloodied limbs of Mississippi sharecroppers and Alabama marchers—has not been entirely bulldozed, only the facade remains.—
Vann R. Newkirk II,
The Atlantic,
2 May 2026
-
Start by removing any dead or declining trunks or limbs.—
Tom MacCubbin,
The Orlando Sentinel,
2 May 2026
Noun
-
In dozens of markets, including San Diego and Sacramento, Nexstar would own multiple major TV network affiliates.—
Meg James,
Los Angeles Times,
1 May 2026
-
The affiliates, like the big league club, are also using pre-game homework assignments to have players work on their swing decisions.—
Spencer Nusbaum,
New York Times,
1 May 2026
Noun
-
The river flows from tributaries in the Greensboro area to the Atlantic Ocean.—
Rebecca Noel,
Charlotte Observer,
23 Apr. 2026
-
The property has over a mile of frontage along the Fall River and controls the Spring and Lava creek tributaries.—
Wendy Bowman,
Robb Report,
15 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
While the losses would be spread across multiple departments including from public safety and county administrative positions, the county health system, and in particular Behavioral Health Services, is expected to experience the most profound effects of the cuts to budget and staffing.—
Luis Melecio-Zambrano,
Mercury News,
2 May 2026
-
Among them is a proposal to expand mayoral authority, allow the mayor to reorganize city departments, transfer funds and personnel across agencies, and participate in council meetings.—
Teresa Liu,
Daily News,
2 May 2026
Verb
-
The rest of the property radiates outwards from here, incorporating four restaurants, rooms and suites spread across a number of individual low-rise blocks, the Conrad Spa, and meeting and events space.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Symptoms differ from strokes caused by a blockage in the brain, as a spinal stroke causes pain in the neck or back that radiates through the limbs, muscle weakness or numbness, incontinence and loss of sensation, such as feeling touch or temperature changes.—
Cara Lynn Shultz,
PEOPLE,
17 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Rather than crawling through the living room doggie door, Maxwell sleeps in one of the former cells, with easy outdoor access, and his own garden.—
Eric Adler
April 26,
Kansas City Star,
26 Apr. 2026
-
Researchers say the findings could have broader implications for science, including studies on how cells resist damage from ice crystals and radiation over time.—
Brittany Miller,
FOXNews.com,
25 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Armed with subpoenas, the Secret Service and other agencies are intensively focusing on what might have caused the suspect to book a room at the Washington Hilton, less than two miles north of the White House, on the night of the annual dinner.—
Michael Collins,
USA Today,
27 Apr. 2026
-
The president has not been as candid with his administration’s own controversies, but watchdogs in executive agencies have scrutinized some of his members.—
Ana Ceballos
Follow,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Removing all parts of the roots and stems is important to prevent regrowth.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
26 Apr. 2026
-
This is because squash plants produce prickly leaves and stems that rabbits dislike.—
Samantha Johnson,
Martha Stewart,
25 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Branches.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/branches. Accessed 4 May. 2026.
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