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
Allison Morrow, CNN Money, 2 Mar. 2026
The branches of the tree were festooned with protest banners, wooden crates, and homemade art.
—Robert Moor, New Yorker, 2 Mar. 2026
In a state Capitol often threaded with thorny partisan debate and sharp ideological branches, Colorado lawmakers and advocacy groups from opposite ends of the political spectrum have found a clearing of common ground.
—Seth Klamann, Denver Post, 2 Mar. 2026
Even outside the typical April-to-December season, crews have continued working during this month’s mild weather to remove dead branches and hazardous trees along parkways and medians — proactively improving safety, reliability and quality of life for residents citywide.
—Chicago Tribune, 2 Mar. 2026
But Daye naturally decays at the end of each season, unless she is rebuilt using the branches, berries, and blooms of the next.
—Literary Hub, 2 Mar. 2026
How to prepare before strong winds approach Trim tree branches away from your house and power lines.
—Southern California Weather Report, Daily News, 2 Mar. 2026
The branches closed, then quietly reopened for all.
—CBS News, 2 Mar. 2026
Simply trim back branches to a healthy bud.
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 23 Feb. 2026
Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 9 Sep. 2025
Noun
But, as JPMorgan notes, those innovations allowed banks to open more branches, increasing employment overall.
—Allison Morrow, CNN Money, 2 Mar. 2026
The branches of the tree were festooned with protest banners, wooden crates, and homemade art.
—Robert Moor, New Yorker, 2 Mar. 2026
In a state Capitol often threaded with thorny partisan debate and sharp ideological branches, Colorado lawmakers and advocacy groups from opposite ends of the political spectrum have found a clearing of common ground.
—Seth Klamann, Denver Post, 2 Mar. 2026
Even outside the typical April-to-December season, crews have continued working during this month’s mild weather to remove dead branches and hazardous trees along parkways and medians — proactively improving safety, reliability and quality of life for residents citywide.
—Chicago Tribune, 2 Mar. 2026
But Daye naturally decays at the end of each season, unless she is rebuilt using the branches, berries, and blooms of the next.
—Literary Hub, 2 Mar. 2026
How to prepare before strong winds approach Trim tree branches away from your house and power lines.
—Southern California Weather Report, Daily News, 2 Mar. 2026
The branches closed, then quietly reopened for all.
—CBS News, 2 Mar. 2026
Simply trim back branches to a healthy bud.
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 23 Feb. 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
-
Some clients had disabilities, including vision impairment, hearing impairment, prosthetic limbs, and various medical conditions.—
Maya Silver,
Outside,
25 Feb. 2026
-
Tree limbs could be blown down and a few power outages may result.—
Bay Area Weather Report,
Mercury News,
24 Feb. 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,
27 Feb. 2026
-
Opened up as well would be records of transactions between insurers and any of their affiliates, including fees, commissions, payments, or profit sharing agreements with managing general agents, claims handlers, reinsurers, or third party administrators.—
Ron Hurtibise,
Sun Sentinel,
26 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Upper Basin States—Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming—contain headwater tributaries and receive much of their water resources through snowmelt and runoff that drain above Lee’s Ferry.—
Outside,
Outside,
3 Mar. 2026
-
Many Maryland watermen have been stuck on land for weeks because parts of the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries remain frozen over, leaving some oystermen out of work during peak season.—
Caroline Foreback,
CBS News,
9 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
In the theatrical space, that’ll likely mean the consolidation of marketing and distribution departments.—
Rebecca Rubin,
Variety,
27 Feb. 2026
-
Earlier this month, Prisma Health, a large health care system in South Carolina, implemented a new policy mandating masking for patients and visitors in emergency departments and in labor and delivery units.—
Deidre McPhillips,
CNN Money,
27 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Red thread radiates from Stalin’s eyes like light from a malevolent sun, while other faces disappear behind horizontal bars of stitching, imprisoned by embroidery.—
Anel Rakhimzhanova,
Artforum,
1 Mar. 2026
-
The inner shift radiates outward.—
Kaitlyn Gomez,
USA Today,
27 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Many larger commercial electrical vehicle (EV) cells typically range between around 240 and 300 Wh/kg.—
Christopher McFadden,
Interesting Engineering,
1 Mar. 2026
-
The intensive treatment also features superfine silica particles to physically buff dead skin cells away.—
Annie Blackman,
Allure,
28 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Israeli and American intelligence agencies — including the CIA — had been tracking Khamenei’s movements for months, waiting for the right moment to strike.—
Issy Ronald,
CNN Money,
2 Mar. 2026
-
The contract, signed in January 2026, tasks BBK with advocating before Congress, the White House and federal agencies on behalf of the county to secure funding and action to address cross-border sewage flows that have fouled South Bay beaches and communities for decades.—
Walker Armstrong,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
1 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The only maintenance necessary is pruning woody stems to encourage the plant to produce new growth.—
Jamie McIntosh,
The Spruce,
3 Mar. 2026
-
Leave some leaves and stems in garden beds or redistribute them to create habitats and natural mulch.—
Anne Readel,
Better Homes & Gardens,
3 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Branches.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/branches. Accessed 5 Mar. 2026.
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