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
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
Deborah Treisman, New Yorker, 14 Sep. 2025
Researchers also pinpointed the dam's age to a very slim 10-year margin, thanks to twigs and branches that were embedded in the dam's mortar.
—Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 14 Sep. 2025
Simply pinch off any offset or irregular branches with your fingers or garden snips so that the plant has a more rounded appearance.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 13 Sep. 2025
According to Joe Truzman, a senior analyst with the FDD, the Arrow Unit’s membership is drawn from multiple sources in Gaza, including police officers, operatives belonging to the Ministry of Interior’s security branches, fighters belonging to terrorist factions, and civilian volunteers.
—Sean Durns, The Washington Examiner, 12 Sep. 2025
Smokejumpers have climbed into the canopy of several large trees and are working to extinguish burning limbs and branches.
—Ca Wildfire Bot, Sacbee.com, 12 Sep. 2025
There are deep blue- and purple-hued flowers, trees with gentle, weeping branches, shrubs soft to the touch.
—Bebe Hodges, Cincinnati Enquirer, 12 Sep. 2025
No nests, clear piles of branches or wood and no trash.
—Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 Sep. 2025
The documentary makes the argument that the 1972 Godspell production planted seeds that would grow into a tree of many branches – one branch being SNL, another SCTV, and then leafing out into comedies like Best in Show starring Levy and SCTV alum Catherine O’Hara.
—Matthew Carey, Deadline, 7 Sep. 2025
Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 9 Sep. 2025
Noun
What about those snakes and spiders and overhanging branches?
—Deborah Treisman, New Yorker, 14 Sep. 2025
Researchers also pinpointed the dam's age to a very slim 10-year margin, thanks to twigs and branches that were embedded in the dam's mortar.
—Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 14 Sep. 2025
Simply pinch off any offset or irregular branches with your fingers or garden snips so that the plant has a more rounded appearance.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 13 Sep. 2025
According to Joe Truzman, a senior analyst with the FDD, the Arrow Unit’s membership is drawn from multiple sources in Gaza, including police officers, operatives belonging to the Ministry of Interior’s security branches, fighters belonging to terrorist factions, and civilian volunteers.
—Sean Durns, The Washington Examiner, 12 Sep. 2025
Smokejumpers have climbed into the canopy of several large trees and are working to extinguish burning limbs and branches.
—Ca Wildfire Bot, Sacbee.com, 12 Sep. 2025
There are deep blue- and purple-hued flowers, trees with gentle, weeping branches, shrubs soft to the touch.
—Bebe Hodges, Cincinnati Enquirer, 12 Sep. 2025
No nests, clear piles of branches or wood and no trash.
—Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 Sep. 2025
The documentary makes the argument that the 1972 Godspell production planted seeds that would grow into a tree of many branches – one branch being SNL, another SCTV, and then leafing out into comedies like Best in Show starring Levy and SCTV alum Catherine O’Hara.
—Matthew Carey, Deadline, 7 Sep. 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
-
Your limbs are left smooth, hairless, and with little-to-no wax left behind.—
Sophia Panych,
Allure,
16 Sep. 2025
-
Charring that consistently appeared in specific locations on the bodies — on the elbows, the front of the skull and the lower limbs — provided intriguing clues.—
Mindy Weisberger,
CNN Money,
15 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Employees of William O’Neil + Company and its affiliates may now or in the future have positions in securities mentioned in this communication.—
Randy Watts,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
-
The service will fly once in each direction on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays on an Embraer E175 jet operated by one of American's regional affiliates.—
Zach Wichter,
USA Today,
10 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Potamopyrgus antipodarum, or New Zealand mudsnails, were found at two tributaries of the Monongahela River in Allegheny County, Peters Creek and Turtle Creek, according to the report.—
Jennifer Rodriguez,
Kansas City Star,
10 Sep. 2025
-
Following two decades of ice retreat, two tributaries to the north and south of the Alsek stopped feeding ice to the glacier.—
Soo Kim,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
By making the cameras solar-powered and connected over cell networks, Flock brought the technology within reach of smaller towns and departments that couldn’t afford earlier systems.—
Jennifer Jolly,
USA Today,
14 Sep. 2025
-
Jones detailed new de-icing equipment, dedicated crews, and a central dashboard so all departments can see in real-time how their decisions impact the entire network.—
Christopher Elliott,
Forbes.com,
14 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Just as Queenz Eye’s fashion choices embrace contrast and individuality, their music radiates the same spirit of boldness and diversity.—
Footwear News,
Footwear News,
27 Aug. 2025
-
On the outside, Jin Yul radiates a chic and reserved energy.—
Sara Smith,
Variety,
27 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
By my count, there were at least a dozen more cells in Miami alone.—
Martin Suarez,
Rolling Stone,
13 Sep. 2025
-
For that to work, plant cells actually oxidize a carbon back off, releasing carbon dioxide, in order to create a two-carbon source for building lipids.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
12 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Health agencies recommend that adults get at least 150 minutes per week of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise and at least two days of strength training exercises, which includes lifting weights or performing muscle-building activities.—
Melissa Rudy,
FOXNews.com,
13 Sep. 2025
-
An anonymous letter was mailed to local police and federal agencies, accusing individuals of gambling and triggering an investigation.—
Kelly Phillips Erb,
Forbes.com,
13 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The current round of liberal hand-wringing about how conservatives have become far better at driving the political conversation stems in large part from Kirk.—
David Weigel,
semafor.com,
10 Sep. 2025
-
The fastball is at the bottom of the zone, and that’s kind of where everything stems for me.—
Jeff Fletcher,
Oc Register,
10 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Branches.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/branches. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.
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