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
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
Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 15 May 2026
How to prepare before strong winds approach Trim tree branches away from your house and power lines.
—Southern California Weather Report, Daily News, 15 May 2026
Matt Brown, Los Angeles Times, 10 May 2026
Now, the city is split into three Republican-leaning districts, its majority-Black population sliced up and bound to mostly white, rural and conservative communities along lines that branch away from Fowler and Wilson’s East Memphis neighborhood.
—ABC News, 9 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for branch
Noun
In March, in the early stages of the Iran war, the transport ministry had met with both MSC and Maersk regarding their shipping operations, with reports indicating the branch was concerned over the stability of trade after the carriers suspended service to the Middle East.
—Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 15 May 2026
How to prepare before strong winds approach Trim tree branches away from your house and power lines.
—Southern California Weather Report, Daily News, 15 May 2026
Verb
Now, the city is split into three Republican-leaning districts, its majority-Black population sliced up and bound to mostly white, rural and conservative communities along lines that branch away from Fowler and Wilson’s East Memphis neighborhood.
—Matt Brown, Los Angeles Times, 10 May 2026
Now, the city is split into three Republican-leaning districts, its majority-Black population sliced up and bound to mostly white, rural and conservative communities along lines that branch away from Fowler and Wilson’s East Memphis neighborhood.
—ABC News, 9 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for branch
Recent Examples of Synonyms for branch
Noun
-
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
-
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
-
Two fighter jets collided in midair during an air show at the Mountain Home Air Force Base in Idaho on Sunday, CBS affiliate KBOI reported.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
17 May 2026
-
Take control of your money with CNBC Select CNBC Select is editorially independent and may earn a commission from affiliate partners on links.—
Jennifer Liu,
CNBC,
17 May 2026
Noun
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
His palpable belief in fatherhood as a life’s work radiates off the screen.—
Vikram Murthi,
IndieWire,
15 May 2026
-
Others radiate energy, clients, and momentum.—
Jodie Cook,
Forbes.com,
15 May 2026
Noun
-
In a cell-phone video of the opening, the space was thronged with people.—
Clayton Dalton,
New Yorker,
15 May 2026
-
Vaccines present either defanged pathogens or distinctive fragments of them to specialized immune cells—namely, T cells and antibody-producing B cells—that can then learn to identify those microbial enemies.—
Beth Mole,
ArsTechnica,
15 May 2026
Noun
-
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
-
The technology will allow communication with the agency, to help reduce travel times, records show.—
Sean Krofssik,
Hartford Courant,
12 May 2026
Verb
-
For many families, barriers to care stem not only from transportation or cost, but from feeling misunderstood, unseen, or unable to communicate comfortably with providers.—
Maria Bledsoe,
The Orlando Sentinel,
17 May 2026
-
Nearly six years into his governorship, Newsom in late 2024 proposed more than doubling the state’s small- and big-screen incentives in an effort to-stem the tsunami of production and projects leaving the home of Hollywood.—
Dominic Patten,
Deadline,
14 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Branch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/branch. Accessed 18 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
