BRANCHING (OUT) Synonyms: 25 Similar and Opposite Words

branching (out)

verb

present participle of branch (out)

as in parting

to go or move in different directions from a central point the vine branched out as it climbed the trellis

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for branching (out)

Verb

In Japanese, the hero utters the name of the series to a villain in a parting one liner.

— Gene Park, Washington Post, 23 Aug. 2026
But every dish gets a twist, or a zing, or a moment of cloud-parting clarity.

— Helen Rosner, New Yorker, 26 July 2026

Definition of parting

Verb

Set within its own natural lagoon on the southernmost tip of the Raa Atoll, the ocean stretches out as far as the eye can see, with hardly a blip separating sea, horizon, and sky.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Aug. 2026
A couple years before that, the state began disaggregating data on Asian and Pacific Islanders, by separating Asian, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander groups.

— Sharon Udasin, Sun Sentinel, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of separating

Verb

PennDOT will be implementing a diverging diamond interchange near Robinson Town Centre that doesn't use the existing bridge over the Parkway West.

— John Shumway, CBS News, 17 Aug. 2026
There is a constant sense of movement, of visions and voices converging, diverging, allowing gaps and silences, but also a sense of subterranean connectedness.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of diverging

Verb

Achord is in the huddle every play before retreating to the sideline.

— Matt Schneidman, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026
Skywatchers will not only see the moon change color, but also witness the sharp, curved edge of Earth’s shadow steadily advancing across — and later retreating from — the lunar surface.

— Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 23 Aug. 2026

Definition of retreating

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.

Browse Nearby Words

branching

branching (out)

branchlet

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Branching (out).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/branching%20%28out%29. Accessed 31 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of branching (out)

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

gumption

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Popular in Wordplay

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Games & Quizzes