1
2
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
as in to radiate
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 branch
Jenna Ebbers, Kansas City Star, 8 May 2026
As the years pass, the distinguished plant bears witness to the private lives of those who seek shade under its boundless branches.
—Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 8 May 2026
Ryan Brennan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 Apr. 2026
Just as evolutionary biologists can reconstruct the branching history of a species from its genome, Astromech's engine is intended to explore potential future scenarios for pathogen or tumor evolution under therapeutic pressure.
—Matthew Kayser, USA Today, 29 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for branch
Noun
Large heaps of dead branches pile by the entrance to the forest, with no real path through the tall grass between the road and the outer edge.
—Jenna Ebbers, Kansas City Star, 8 May 2026
As the years pass, the distinguished plant bears witness to the private lives of those who seek shade under its boundless branches.
—Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 8 May 2026
Verb
Key differences include hollow versus solid stems, branched versus single stems and hairy versus smooth leaves.
—Ryan Brennan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 Apr. 2026
Just as evolutionary biologists can reconstruct the branching history of a species from its genome, Astromech's engine is intended to explore potential future scenarios for pathogen or tumor evolution under therapeutic pressure.
—Matthew Kayser, USA Today, 29 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for branch
Recent Examples of Synonyms for branch
Noun
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Finally, homeowners insurance generally covers burst pipes, roof damage and falling limbs when the damage is sudden and unexpected, but claims can be denied if insurers find negligence — like shutting off the heat or skipping pipe insulation, per guidance from the Texas Department of Insurance.—
Tiffani Jackson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
11 May 2026
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Any branches that hang over the property line can be a problem for neighbors who may have to deal with leaf litter, seeds, pods, fruits, bark, or falling limbs.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
10 May 2026
Noun
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Jama’at Nusrat al Islam wal-Muslimin, al Qaeda’s affiliate in the Sahel, has emerged as one of the most powerful terrorist groups on Earth amid this vacuum, positioning itself in recent weeks as an existential threat to the government of Mali itself.—
Brady Knox,
The Washington Examiner,
10 May 2026
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Their son, who was born in the US but raised in Mexico, fell ill while visiting family in Chicago over Christmas, according to CNN affiliate WLS.—
Caroll Alvarado,
CNN Money,
10 May 2026
Noun
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The company operates 17 hydropower facilities on the Snake River and its tributaries, and also buys hydropower seasonally from 68 small-scale projects across its service area, according to Bowlin.—
Angela Palermo
May 7,
Idaho Statesman,
7 May 2026
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The dirt-only diamond was loamy and soft and home plate was totally submerged in a muddy puddle, a tributary of which also snaked down the third-base line.—
Chang-rae Lee,
New Yorker,
3 May 2026
Noun
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Of course, none of this would be possible if the DOJ and Blanche happened to remember the department’s own function as the ostensible guardian of the rule of law.—
New York Daily News Editorial Board,
New York Daily News,
14 May 2026
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This role gives him the opportunity to explore different departments before eventually committing to a specialty.—
Maddie Lee,
Los Angeles Times,
14 May 2026
Verb
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The flower, which radiates positivity and joy, encourages Leo to showcase their vivacious personality.—
Lisa Stardust,
PEOPLE,
9 May 2026
-
Naturally then, many guests greet the staff like old friends, and this familial atmosphere radiates out through the casual grace of the hotel staff.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
6 May 2026
Noun
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Each cell is stocked with paralyzed tree crickets, katydids and other orthoptera insects.—
Pamm Cooper,
Hartford Courant,
9 May 2026
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But like most cells in the body, B cells can malfunction or not function fully, enabling cancer cells to evade them.—
Ashley Mackin Solomon,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 May 2026
Noun
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The nomination signals Trump is backing away from promises to eliminate FEMA, as Hamilton joins a beleaguered agency depleted by staff departures and a 75-day DHS shutdown.—
Gabriela Aoun Angueira,
Los Angeles Times,
12 May 2026
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The technology will allow communication with the agency, to help reduce travel times, records show.—
Sean Krofssik,
Hartford Courant,
12 May 2026
Verb
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While fading blooms typically wilt or go limp, wilting of foliage or plant stems is a sign the plant is water stressed.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
9 May 2026
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Other than longer stems to accommodate the cameras, the product will resemble the AirPods Pro 3.—
Bloomberg,
Mercury News,
8 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Branch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/branch. Accessed 14 May. 2026.
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