as in side
a place, space, or direction away from or beyond a central point or line
painted the name of the ship along its flank
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to join
to be adjacent to
the guards flank the center on a football team's offensive line
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of flank
Sudha David-Wilp, Foreign Affairs, 23 Dec. 2025
Everest’s Helicopter Rescue Pilots Daring aviators plucked stricken climbers from the flanks of Mount Everest throughout the 2025 season, saving many from certain death.
—The Editors, Outside, 15 Dec. 2025
Amber Kallor, Travel + Leisure, 10 Jan. 2026
Stafford is flanked by a pair of elite wideouts.
—Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 10 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for flank
Noun
In the 1980s, Franz Josef Strauss, the legendary chair of the Christian Social Union (the Christian Democrats’ sister party in Bavaria), warned that far-right parties must not be permitted to become the flank of mainstream conservatism.
—Sudha David-Wilp, Foreign Affairs, 23 Dec. 2025
Everest’s Helicopter Rescue Pilots Daring aviators plucked stricken climbers from the flanks of Mount Everest throughout the 2025 season, saving many from certain death.
—The Editors, Outside, 15 Dec. 2025
Verb
Seagrapes, the open-air restaurant flanking the main pool, impressed with a bright shrimp ceviche and a crave-worthy smashburger dressed in Rosado’s take on Mayochup, the island’s beloved condiment.
—Amber Kallor, Travel + Leisure, 10 Jan. 2026
Stafford is flanked by a pair of elite wideouts.
—Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 10 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for flank
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flank
Noun
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Frederick Gaudreau sent a backhand pass from the left side near the boards to Tolvanen in front, and settled the puck and beat Quick at the 1-minute mark.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
13 Jan. 2026
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Jenner also appeared by Chalamet's side at the 2025 ceremony, when he was nominated for playing Bob Dylan in 2024's A Complete Unknown.—
Liza Esquibias,
PEOPLE,
13 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Jim Harbaugh also discounted any notion that his brother would join him with the Chargers in any capacity.—
Elliott Teaford,
Oc Register,
8 Jan. 2026
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Warren joins former Boise State wide receivers coach Matt Miller and safeties coach Tyler Stockton in departing the program in recent days.—
Shaun Goodwin,
Idaho Statesman,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
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But the town adjoining the base, Delta Junction, is small (with a 2020 population of 918) and has only a handful of food stores and restaurants.—
Davis Winkie,
USA Today,
8 Jan. 2026
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As for the rental’s neighbors, the regulations, if approved, also stipulate that a short-term rental’s owner send a letter by mail to adjoining property owners informing them that the residence has been approved as a short-term rental at least one week before the first rental in a calendar year.—
Molly Morrow,
Chicago Tribune,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The surrounding businesses were evacuated by El Monte police as the investigation continued.—
Dean Fioresi,
CBS News,
13 Jan. 2026
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Tourism industry officials in the towns surrounding Yosemite, who generally oppose reservations to enter Yosemite, praised the announcement.—
Paul Rogers,
Mercury News,
13 Jan. 2026
Verb
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South Korean officials have said that Lee and Takaichi would likely touch on the tensions between China and Japan on Lee’s two-day visit.—
Miranda Jeyaretnam,
Time,
13 Jan. 2026
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Visitors can also view and touch snakes displayed by the San Diego Herpetological Society, take photos inside a replica eagle nest in the art barn and visit informational booths from local wildlife organizations.—
Regina Elling,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
13 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Homestead also provides access to the neighboring Royal Palm State Park.—
Evie Carrick,
Travel + Leisure,
11 Jan. 2026
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Other states, including neighboring Indiana, have asked for even more flexibility.—
Lexi Lonas Cochran,
The Hill,
10 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Flank.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flank. Accessed 15 Jan. 2026.
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