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
Thao Nguyen, USA Today, 10 Mar. 2026
The strikes on Chiyah were followed by more airstrikes on nearby areas, forcing Lebanese troops to close roads where al-Qard al-Hasan branches are located to ensure people's safety.
—Arkansas Online, 10 Mar. 2026
Remove debris from the lawn such as fallen branches and rocks, as well as any moveable lawn furniture or décor.
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 9 Mar. 2026
Advertisement As in the past, the question now is who will offer Americans a real alternative, including a commitment to stamp out self-dealing in all three branches of the government.
—Daniel Weiner, Time, 9 Mar. 2026
Belatedly, our executive and legislative branches of state government have gotten the message on burdensome energy costs.
—Editorial, Boston Herald, 9 Mar. 2026
Startled, birds start from their branches and flicker through the atmosphere.
—Literary Hub, 9 Mar. 2026
Over that long, unusually hot summer, the moss that covered the branches came to resemble the rough side of a kitchen sponge.
—Robert Moor, New Yorker, 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
Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 9 Sep. 2025
Noun
Security sources in Lebanon said Israeli airstrikes hit five branches of a financial institution run by Hezbollah, Al-Qard Al-Hassan.
—Thao Nguyen, USA Today, 10 Mar. 2026
The strikes on Chiyah were followed by more airstrikes on nearby areas, forcing Lebanese troops to close roads where al-Qard al-Hasan branches are located to ensure people's safety.
—Arkansas Online, 10 Mar. 2026
Remove debris from the lawn such as fallen branches and rocks, as well as any moveable lawn furniture or décor.
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 9 Mar. 2026
Advertisement As in the past, the question now is who will offer Americans a real alternative, including a commitment to stamp out self-dealing in all three branches of the government.
—Daniel Weiner, Time, 9 Mar. 2026
Belatedly, our executive and legislative branches of state government have gotten the message on burdensome energy costs.
—Editorial, Boston Herald, 9 Mar. 2026
Startled, birds start from their branches and flicker through the atmosphere.
—Literary Hub, 9 Mar. 2026
Over that long, unusually hot summer, the moss that covered the branches came to resemble the rough side of a kitchen sponge.
—Robert Moor, New Yorker, 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
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
-
During a recent 36-hour blackout, a group of men cooked a large pot over burning tree limbs on the sidewalk of one of Havana’s main stately avenues.—
Patrick Oppmann,
CNN Money,
7 Mar. 2026
-
Scrape the bark down the limbs and trunk.—
Tom MacCubbin,
The Orlando Sentinel,
7 Mar. 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.—
Jay Woods,
CNBC,
5 Mar. 2026
-
In September, Sempra agreed to sell 45% of Sempra Infrastructure to affiliates of global private investment giant KKR and Canada Pension Plan Investment Board.—
Rob Nikolewski,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
5 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
All of western Colorado relies on water from the river and its tributaries.—
Elise Schmelzer,
Denver Post,
9 Mar. 2026
-
Since launching Delfin in 2006, Urteaga has worked hand in hand with Amazonian communities, primarily those within the Marañón and Ucayali river systems and their tributaries, to create a two-way dialogue between travelers and those who call the area home.—
Lale Arikoglu,
Condé Nast Traveler,
8 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
During the past half dozen years, around ten universities and colleges have closed their classics departments or programs, with some folded into larger humanities units.—
Chang Che,
New Yorker,
8 Mar. 2026
-
It is also meant to allow for collaboration among teachers from different departments and grade levels.—
Molly Morrow,
Chicago Tribune,
7 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Godoy radiates effortless charisma, a kind of uncynical openness that feels both childlike and magnetic.—
Carlos Aguilar,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Mar. 2026
-
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
Noun
-
In aged golden spiny mice, immune cells in fat tissue highly express the gene that codes for clusterin.—
Mallory Locklear,
Hartford Courant,
7 Mar. 2026
-
In clinical trials, doctors have treated some patients with allogeneic CAR-T products, which are made from the cells of healthy donors and can be used for more than one patient.—
Jason Liebowitz,
New Yorker,
6 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
During the booking process, inmate fingerprints are automatically entered into a database accessible by all local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies, including ICE.—
Mia Cathell,
The Washington Examiner,
9 Mar. 2026
-
Over the ensuing decades, local, state and federal agencies participated in efforts to locate her.—
Sarah Rumpf-Whitten,
FOXNews.com,
8 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Today’s fusion of private wealth and political power stems in part from a half-century of what many view as misguided Supreme Court decisions.—
Daniel Weiner,
Time,
9 Mar. 2026
-
Determinate varieties can produce very heavy crop loads and develop shorter, thicker stems to support the weight of fruit.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
9 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Branches.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/branches. Accessed 13 Mar. 2026.
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