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
Claire Harutunian, Charlotte Observer, 15 June 2026
In February 2026, the board approved a bylaws amendment that ensures equity in board representation among branches.
—Pete Hammond, Deadline, 15 June 2026
Bump recalls visiting the Avalon and the Blackstone branches in his youth.
—Darcel Rockett, Chicago Tribune, 15 June 2026
To stagger the terms, governors in those three branches were elected this year to one-, two- or three-year terms, with the process reverting to the standard one-governor-per-branch, three-year cycle in 2027.
—Clayton Davis, Variety, 15 June 2026
Signs of heat stress include prematurely dropped fruit, wilting, drooping branches, and scorched leaves.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 15 June 2026
The worst of the damage was found along Taft Place, where homes were ripped open, and tree branches were left around the neighborhood.
—Noel Brennan, CBS News, 15 June 2026
Using chippers to grind up vegetation removed during firefighting, including branches and trees.
—Sean Campbell, Sacbee.com, 15 June 2026
In northwestern Oregon's Silver Falls State Park tour operator Tree Climbing at Silver Falls leads visitors up towering old-growth trees—which are some of the largest and rarest trees in the world—and provides gear to sleep in their branches.
—Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 14 June 2026
Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 9 Sep. 2025
Noun
The Truist five-year plan In August 2025, the bank announced a five-year plan to expand Truist by opening 100 branches, renovating more than 300 existing branches and hiring additional advisors.
—Claire Harutunian, Charlotte Observer, 15 June 2026
In February 2026, the board approved a bylaws amendment that ensures equity in board representation among branches.
—Pete Hammond, Deadline, 15 June 2026
Bump recalls visiting the Avalon and the Blackstone branches in his youth.
—Darcel Rockett, Chicago Tribune, 15 June 2026
To stagger the terms, governors in those three branches were elected this year to one-, two- or three-year terms, with the process reverting to the standard one-governor-per-branch, three-year cycle in 2027.
—Clayton Davis, Variety, 15 June 2026
Signs of heat stress include prematurely dropped fruit, wilting, drooping branches, and scorched leaves.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 15 June 2026
The worst of the damage was found along Taft Place, where homes were ripped open, and tree branches were left around the neighborhood.
—Noel Brennan, CBS News, 15 June 2026
Using chippers to grind up vegetation removed during firefighting, including branches and trees.
—Sean Campbell, Sacbee.com, 15 June 2026
In northwestern Oregon's Silver Falls State Park tour operator Tree Climbing at Silver Falls leads visitors up towering old-growth trees—which are some of the largest and rarest trees in the world—and provides gear to sleep in their branches.
—Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 14 June 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
-
The devices can make toys, prosthetic limbs and even airplane parts.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
13 June 2026
-
Tree limbs and branches were down in numerous areas, including in Dearborn, Dundee, Ferndale, and Raisin Township.—
Paula Wethington,
CBS News,
12 June 2026
Noun
-
There are more than 600 local NAMI organizations and affiliates across the country, many of which offer free support and education programs.—
Paula Wethington,
CBS News,
12 June 2026
-
For the first time this season, first-round games were not carried on local affiliates, pushing more viewers toward national broadcasts.—
Bobby Burack OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
10 June 2026
Noun
-
That compact was adopted in 1943 by Colorado, the headwaters of the Republican and several tributaries, and Nebraska and Kansas, the two down-river states.—
Allen Best,
Denver Post,
14 June 2026
-
The water, too, was wild—the Allegheny and its tributaries had yet to be dammed, and Flag Swamp was noted as one of the last hideouts for beavers in the state.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
10 June 2026
Noun
-
State workers from six departments were bestowed with California’s highest honor for public employees who have performed daring rescues in extreme conditions, including floods, wildfires and active shooter incidents.—
William Melhado,
Sacbee.com,
13 June 2026
-
The acquisition is a trust pitch aimed straight at cautious IT departments, and the timing is no accident.—
Janakiram MSV,
Forbes.com,
13 June 2026
Verb
-
The field absorbs solar radiation from the sun and radiates that heat back onto the pitch.—
Conor O'Neill,
New York Times,
10 June 2026
-
Heat radiates from the pages of this extraordinary novel about a poor family in rural Mississippi in the days leading up to Hurricane Katrina.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
9 June 2026
Noun
-
Rates of diabetic ketoacidosis, a life-threatening complication that occurs when insulin levels are so low that cells can no longer convert glucose into energy, were three times that of the rest of Los Angeles County.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
14 June 2026
-
Shouldn’t my hair, dead as its cells are, actually multiply over time, while the juicy living parts of my body fall out, with my death being the exact moment when nothing that’s alive about me is left?—
Esther Yi,
New Yorker,
14 June 2026
Noun
-
Law enforcement agencies across various states are taking action against drone pilots who violate the FAA’s temporary flight restrictions during World Cup soccer matches.—
Queenie Wong,
Los Angeles Times,
14 June 2026
-
Democratic states, including California, have fought back by filing lawsuits against federal agencies over certain policies and actions affecting governments programs such as SNAP.—
Lizzie Kane
June 14,
Sacbee.com,
14 June 2026
Verb
-
Giving stems a very gentle shake when flowers first appear will help encourage fruit to set.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
16 June 2026
-
Avoid the woody stems, which don't have the same flavor as the younger leaves.—
Heather Bien,
The Spruce,
15 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Branches.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/branches. Accessed 19 Jun. 2026.
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