branch 1 of 2

1
as in limb
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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2
as in affiliate
a local unit of an organization a bank with many neighborhood branches

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3
as in tributary
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

4
as in department
a large unit of a governmental, business, or educational organization the two branches of the U.S. Congress

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branch

2 of 2

verb

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 branch
Noun
Turki hailed from a minor branch of the sprawling family, meaning his upbringing was still relatively ordinary — though his name would prove significant in the years to come. Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 24 Apr. 2025 Once the mating process has ended, female cicadas deposit their eggs in tree branches. Taylor Johnston, CBS News, 23 Apr. 2025
Verb
Tariffs powers from branch to branch Under the U.S. Constitution, the power to tax and tariff falls squarely within the legislative branch. Kevin Breuninger, CNBC, 4 Apr. 2025 Along the causeway that borders both a freshwater pond and a tidal marsh and on the park’s branching nature trails, guests can spot more than 300 winged species—and perhaps glimpse alligators or sea turtles too. Casey Barber, Southern Living, 12 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for branch
Recent Examples of Synonyms for branch
Noun
  • But Arthur's lack of limbs hasn't slowed him down, and he was adopted soon after by his loving family.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Apr. 2025
  • Tree limbs could be blown down and a few power outages may result.
    CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 25 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • The University must immediately establish procedures by which any Harvard affiliate can report noncompliance with the reforms detailed in this letter to both university leadership and the federal government.
    Kayla Jimenez, USA Today, 23 Apr. 2025
  • Kershaw will pitch for the Tulsa Drillers, the Los Angeles Dodgers' AA minor league affiliate, against the Northwest Arkansas Naturals, according to the Naturals' website.
    NWA Democrat-Gazette, Arkansas Online, 22 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • In the vast network of rivers and tributaries that make up the Pearl River Basin in southern China, the water is naturally filtered by living creatures.
    Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 21 Apr. 2025
  • Grimes Creek is a tributary of Mores Creek, which is a tributary of the Boise River.
    Nicole Blanchard, Idaho Statesman, 21 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • There is likely to be five or six players making up the centre back department next season.
    Simon Johnson, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2025
  • On March 20, Trump ordered Education Secretary Linda McMahon to begin dismantling the department to the extent that she’s authorized to do so.
    Carly Tagen-Dye, People.com, 25 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • These typically present as recurring lower abdominal pain that can radiate to the lower back.
    Caitlin Pagán, Verywell Health, 28 Apr. 2025
  • Garden centers that can protect tender plants can tip pots over and cover them with a thick horticultural felt, which gives the plants a few degrees of protection due to the cover blocking frost and trapping some warmth radiating off the ground.
    Miri Talabac, Baltimore Sun, 24 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • For example, if an accumulation of cells block the bile ducts, a patient can develop cirrhosis, or liver damage.
    David Oliver, USA Today, 23 Apr. 2025
  • Human retinas typically have three types of cone cells, which are what allow our eyes to detect various wavelengths of light.
    Sara Hashemi, Smithsonian Magazine, 22 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • During an April 22 press conference, FDA Commissioner Marty Makary said the agency intends to revoke approvals for certain dyes and work alongside industry leaders to achieve elimination of the additives.
    Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 24 Apr. 2025
  • Processing times, country caps, and adjudication standards would all need to be codified, either through legislation or agency rule-making.
    Andy J. Semotiuk, Forbes.com, 23 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Yet both stem, at least in part, from the same awe of space—a desire to reach beyond Earth’s bounds and to be part of something bigger.
    Ashley Case, Forbes.com, 29 Apr. 2025
  • Social-media companies try to stem cartels’ activity on their sites, but their efforts have been sporadic and uncoordinated.
    Antón Barba-Kay, The Atlantic, 26 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Branch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/branch. Accessed 5 May. 2025.

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