branch 1 of 2

noun

ˈbranch How to pronounce branch (audio)
Definition of branchnext
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

branch

2 of 2

verb

as in to radiate
to extend outwards from or as if from a central point threads branched from the center of the spider web

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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
Although my pole reaches the branches, the wire at the end is too pliable and the branches too strong to be hooked and pulled down. — Jonathan Flint, Harpers Magazine, 1 Sep. 2026 The studio is based in Marmaris, Turkey, but recently expanded into Europe with a new branch in Hamburg. — Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 1 Sep. 2026
Verb
As such, our first pruning cut reduces the overall height of the tree and promotes branching close to the ground. — Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 17 Aug. 2026 Don’t plant seedlings too close, prune vigorously branching leaves, and water plants at the base. — Gemma Johnstone, The Spruce, 11 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for branch
Recent Examples of Synonyms for branch
  1. limb
  2. affiliate
  3. tributary
  4. department
  5. radiate
  6. cell
  7. agency
  8. stem
Noun
  • The axolotl, which comes from the shrinking wetlands of Mexico City, is known for its rare ability to regrow limbs and other body parts.
    — Jim Dobson, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Here the picture gets both less clear and, like the gods’ and goddesses’ limbs and faces, more manifold.
    — Charles Preston, Encyclopedia Britannica, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of limb
Noun
  • As the affiliate industry grows, particularly for fashion brands and beauty brands which increasingly route a growing share of sales through such links, the answer is getting harder to parse.
    — Tom Matsuda, Vogue, 1 Sep. 2026
  • He was designated for assignment by the Mets in late April and played 16 games for Baltimore’s Triple-A affiliate in Norfolk before being released on June 12.
    — LaMond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of affiliate
Noun
  • That allowed sea water to infiltrate freshwater tributaries across the peninsula, especially in lagoons and deltas where clam and mussel farms provided ample prey.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Families can enjoy the tributary and take in the fall foliage at spots like peaceful Wild River State Park and Interstate State Park, which offers clifftop views of the river.
    — Beth Luberecki, USA Today, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of tributary
Noun
  • Additionally, the department has been coordinating with the Nepali government to assist with the rescue effort.
    — Isabel Danzis, ABC News, 30 Aug. 2026
  • The department did not immediately respond to The Bee’s request for comment.
    — Chaewon Chung, Sacbee.com, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of department
Verb
  • This fall, hair trends are all about natural-looking, dimensional blondes that radiate understated luxury.
    — Kat Suico, InStyle, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Youth and parents linked their loss of care to spikes in anxiety, depression, self-harm, and suicidal thoughts, with stress radiating through entire families.
    — Dr. SJ Job, Hartford Courant, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of radiate
Noun
  • From a consideration of apoptosis—the orderly elimination of damaged or unnecessary cells—Solé moves on to failing machines, eroded memories, vanished languages, brittle digital archives, and more.
    — The New Yorker, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026
  • This can lead to the loss of brain cells and contribute to memory and thinking problems, added Johnson.
    — Danielle Zickl, HEALTH, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of cell
Noun
  • The two agencies notified several individuals in the Virginia political world that their phones had been tapped as part of the investigation into Lucas.
    — Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 4 Sep. 2026
  • While more than 100 law enforcement agencies across the country have ended their contracts with Flock Safety in recent weeks over privacy concerns, the company and the state of Georgia are deeply tied to one another.
    — Irene Wright, USA Today, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of agency
Verb
  • Harvest stems weekly to encourage bushy growth and prevent the plant from getting leggy.
    — Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Critics have said the size of the gap stems in large part from Connecticut’s lack of investment in special education, which is meant to reduce those disparities as much as possible.
    — Theo Peck-Suzuki, Hartford Courant, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of stem

Phrases Containing branch

Browse Nearby Words

brambly
branch
branched
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Cite this Entry

“Branch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/branch. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on branch

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about branch

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