BRANCHES Synonyms: 97 Similar and Opposite Words

branches 1 of 2

noun

Definition of branches next

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

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Relevance

as in affiliates

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

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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

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as in departments

a large unit of a governmental, business, or educational organization the two branches of the U.S. Congress

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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

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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

The backstory The reception area features a massive, metal chandelier shaped like winding branches, representative of the flowers that grow here each spring. —

Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 May 2026 Beyond the glass, across a small rocky strip of water, the zoo’s eldest giraffe is craning his impossibly long, elegant neck up to a hanging basket of foliage and methodically stripping the branches of their bark. —

Irenie Forshaw, TheWeek, 11 May 2026 States were supposed to function as laboratories of democracy, not regional branches of a national political movement enforcing ideological conformity from the top down. —

The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 11 May 2026 Why Prune Dogwood Trees The primary benefits of pruning dogwood trees are improving their appearance, removing dead or diseased branches, and encouraging a healthy structure. —

Gemma Johnstone, The Spruce, 11 May 2026 If they’re planted too close, though, their roots, trunks, and branches can cause warping, breakage, and shifting fence posts. —

Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 10 May 2026 The 6-inch-tall garden center transplant will grow into a 6-foot-tall and wide plant with sprawling branches in about two months. —

Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 May 2026 The snow is likely to be heavy and wet, NWS said, so watch out below for overburdened tree branches and sagging power lines. —

Lauren Penington, Denver Post, 4 May 2026 Tarleton State is one of the founding members of the Texas A&M University System and one of its most prominent branches. —

Samuel O’Neal 4, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 May 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

Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around unsecured objects.

— NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 9 May 2026
Recently shown off by Leviathan Engineering, the project brings Rocky—the smart, spider-like alien from the book—to life with moving limbs, speech recognition, and gestures that look just like the character fans remember.

— Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 8 May 2026