branches 1 of 2

plural of branch
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

branches

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of branch

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
How to prepare before strong winds approach Trim tree branches away from your house and power lines. Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 8 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 Also, use your hose to spray off all foliage surfaces (top, bottom, stems, between branches) to eliminate any other hitchhikers. Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 7 Sep. 2025 In the fall, its leaves turn maroon, but its best show comes in winter, when its signature scarlet-red branches contrast with a snowy backdrop. Chris McKeown, Cincinnati Enquirer, 6 Sep. 2025 Shortening branches keeps future fruits within reach. Nan Sterman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Sep. 2025 Within scientific branches of government, the currency of checks and balances has always been data; Kennedy and his allies have forcibly dismantled those guardrails. Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 5 Sep. 2025 Bird feeders carefully positioned from your largest trees’ branches can give color and motion to the winter landscape. Neil Sperry, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Sep. 2025 Remove any water sprouts—boldly upright growing green stems rising from interior branches. Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for branches
Noun
  • Bare, blackened trees with pointed, spindly limbs and black soil that felt strange underfoot, both spongy and brittle.
    River Selby August 25, Literary Hub, 25 Aug. 2025
  • Quiet, atmospheric scenes are punctuated with moments of ultrafast violence, elongated limbs sweeping the page like springs released from tension.
    Matt Alt, New Yorker, 25 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • And there is some disagreement among DSA members about the utility of the shoot-the-moon national priorities that get endorsed at the group’s conventions, if local affiliates don’t endorse them.
    David Weigel, semafor.com, 4 Sep. 2025
  • So far this year, the Better Business Bureau has received 644 reports about Lending Union and its regional affiliates, according to the group's Scam Tracker.
    Tamia Fowlkes, jsonline.com, 4 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Boats are still the only way to access remote parts of the river and its tributaries.
    Debra Utacia Krol, USA Today, 2 Sep. 2025
  • For example, the core curriculum, itself, includes at least investment, insurance, tax, estate, and retirement planning, with loads of tributaries.
    Tim Maurer, Forbes.com, 31 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • The Steve Madden Verdict Mesh Sneakers deliver in the color, texture, and comfort departments.
    Amber Cardullo, Travel + Leisure, 7 Sep. 2025
  • However, that approach is not representative of the advanced work that occurs across the data departments within clubs.
    Mark Carey, New York Times, 6 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
  • Key Takeaways The body breaks down food into glucose (a simple sugar) and releases it into the bloodstream, where it is carried to cells to fuel the body's systems.
    Amber J. Tresca, Verywell Health, 6 Sep. 2025
  • This scaffold contains microscopic channels filled with spinal neural progenitor cells, or sNPCs.
    Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 5 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • What may be the drug epidemic in the future, Smith said, so officials across agencies can work together to get ahead of it.
    Laura Bauer, Kansas City Star, 7 Sep. 2025
  • The emergency proclamation authorizes the Hawaii National Guard to assist civilian authorities and directs all state agencies to cooperate in response efforts.
    Jon Haworth, ABC News, 6 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • To store fresh dill leaves, wrap the cut dill stems loosely in a damp paper towel and store it in a resealable bag in your refrigerator’s crisper drawer.
    Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 5 Sep. 2025
  • The appeal stems less from current financials—which remain weak—and more from the pipeline’s transformative potential, particularly olezarsen’s opportunity.
    Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Branches.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/branches. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.

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