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

Synonyms & Similar Words
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

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
There’s a school, a post office, a bar and a Corn Grower’s State Bank branch, plus the Midwest Farmer’s Coop where growers sell their produce and buy supplies like feed and fertilizer. — Will Weissert, Fortune, 26 Aug. 2026 There's a school, a post office, a bar and a Corn Grower’s State Bank branch, plus the Midwest Farmer's Coop where growers sell their produce and buy supplies like feed and fertilizer. — ABC News, 26 Aug. 2026
Verb
The mycelium—the branching network of microscopic filaments that makes up most of a fungus—has been made into leather alternatives, packaging, insulation and even building materials. — Sam MacDonald, Scientific American, 24 July 2026 But along the way, a single musing can turn into many more, like branching rows of dominoes setting off new lines of inquiry about the world. — Hillary Kelly, The Atlantic, 24 July 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
  • Public health staff said people over 50 and residents with health problems are at a greater risk of serious illnesses, including meningitis, encephalitis and limb paralysis.
    — Matthew Rodriguez, CBS News, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Here, Varghese coordinates their physical therapy, builds their braces, fabricates their prostheses, and operates on their limbs, should things come to that.
    — Eli Cahan, Rolling Stone, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of limb
Noun
  • Before her death, several Ruston businesses participated in a fundraiser to celebrate Lillian’s birthday and donate part of their proceeds to the family, according to CNN affiliate KNOE.
    — Diego Mendoza, CNN Money, 24 Aug. 2026
  • The apartment complex was owned by an affiliate of AvalonBay.
    — George Avalos, Mercury News, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of affiliate
Noun
  • An ice and rock avalanche from a high-altitude glacier may have triggered the flooding, with a large volume of debris entering the Lende Khola tributary, researchers have said in a preliminary assessment.
    — Josh Feldman, NBC news, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Preliminary evidence suggests a large volume of ice and rock may have plunged into the Lhende Khola, a tributary of the Bhote Koshi River.
    — Sibi Arasu, Los Angeles Times, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of tributary
Noun
  • Anyone in Livingston County who believes they've been exposed is asked to capture the bat, report the exposure by filling out a form on the health department's website and call department staff at 517‑552‑6882 for testing guidance and next steps.
    — Nicholas Lentz, CBS News, 24 Aug. 2026
  • The state has only seen three cases during that period, the department said.
    — Diego Mendoza, CNN Money, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of department
Verb
  • Feliciano and Jones radiated energy and exuberance throughout their first press conference as the principal owners of the Padres.
    — Dennis Lin, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026
  • The Happy Hours star radiated in a strapless deep purple silk dress with a distressed scoop neckline and asymmetrical draping on her left hip, creating a ruched effect that cascaded down to the ankle-length hemline.
    — Lara Walsh, InStyle, 22 Aug. 2026
Definition of radiate
Noun
  • But the lawsuit states that Griego suffered an amniotic fluid embolism (AFE) during the delivery, meaning the fluid surrounding the fetus or fetal cells had entered her bloodstream, which can cause sudden heart-lung collapse and massive bleeding.
    — Alyssa Goldberg, USA Today, 24 Aug. 2026
  • Then York arranges a $140 encounter on a Sunday morning, and lands in a jail cell with a mug-shot that will never go away.
    — Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of cell
Noun
  • Anthropic wanted assurance that its technology would not be used for fully autonomous weapons or domestic mass surveillance, and the DOD wanted Anthropic to grant the agency unfettered access to Claude across all lawful purposes.
    — Ashley Capoot, CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Currently, free agency begins five days after the World Series, with no expiration on when players can sign.
    — Evan Drellich, New York Times, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of agency
Verb
  • As for Warsh, investors will look for clues on how the Fed can stem the recent rout in bond prices that has sent yields to multi-year highs.
    — Fred Imbert, CNBC, 25 Aug. 2026
  • And that was despite dealing with external noise stemming leading up to his tenure from when Wisconsin tried to block his transfer request.
    — Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 25 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 29 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on branch

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about branch

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