as in adjoined
to be adjacent to
the guards flank the center on a football team's offensive line
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 flanked
He’s flanked by a Kenny G-like saxophone player (Fred Armisen) and a lively backup dancer clad in a red tracksuit (Jason Sudeikis).
—
Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 14 Jan. 2026
When Chalamet did The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, he was flanked by an entourage of people with giant orange ping-pongs for heads.
—David Sims, The Atlantic, 12 Jan. 2026
Teyana Taylor, flanked by security trying to rush her to her seat, snapped a selfie with a guest.
—Lindsey Bahr, Chicago Tribune, 12 Jan. 2026
Late on Saturday night, Bob Dylan posted a simple black-and-white image of him playing on stage with The Grateful Dead in 1987, flanked by Weir on one side and Garcia on the other, to his X account.
—Kevin Dolak, HollywoodReporter, 11 Jan. 2026
Stafford is flanked by a pair of elite wideouts.
—Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 10 Jan. 2026
Chavez posted a photo of Gregory Bovino walking down 33rd Street and Portland Avenue, flanked by three agents wearing masks.
—Wcco Staff, CBS News, 9 Jan. 2026
Last month at the Virginia Capitol, flanked by Democratic state legislative leaders, Spanberger announced her affordability agenda.
—Judge Glock, Washington Post, 9 Jan. 2026
In the photograph released by the presidential palace, Rodríguez is flanked on one side by her brother and the president of the National Assembly, Jorge Rodríguez.
—Nbc News, NBC news, 8 Jan. 2026
Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 14 Jan. 2026
When Chalamet did The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, he was flanked by an entourage of people with giant orange ping-pongs for heads.
—David Sims, The Atlantic, 12 Jan. 2026
Teyana Taylor, flanked by security trying to rush her to her seat, snapped a selfie with a guest.
—Lindsey Bahr, Chicago Tribune, 12 Jan. 2026
Late on Saturday night, Bob Dylan posted a simple black-and-white image of him playing on stage with The Grateful Dead in 1987, flanked by Weir on one side and Garcia on the other, to his X account.
—Kevin Dolak, HollywoodReporter, 11 Jan. 2026
Stafford is flanked by a pair of elite wideouts.
—Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 10 Jan. 2026
Chavez posted a photo of Gregory Bovino walking down 33rd Street and Portland Avenue, flanked by three agents wearing masks.
—Wcco Staff, CBS News, 9 Jan. 2026
Last month at the Virginia Capitol, flanked by Democratic state legislative leaders, Spanberger announced her affordability agenda.
—Judge Glock, Washington Post, 9 Jan. 2026
In the photograph released by the presidential palace, Rodríguez is flanked on one side by her brother and the president of the National Assembly, Jorge Rodríguez.
—Nbc News, NBC news, 8 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flanked
Verb
-
Both intend to make new stadiums the striking centrepiece of wider developments, adjoined to large fan zones and commercial opportunities.—
Philip Buckingham,
New York Times,
5 Jan. 2026
-
Stein’s bedroom adjoined the room where Dodge would visit her lover at night; kept awake by the murmurings and moans, Stein lit a candle and composed a portrait of her host.—
Via Scribner,
Literary Hub,
7 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Soon other members of the Popular Front joined the pair and the increasingly lively group went on to a nightclub.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
16 Jan. 2026
-
Wall has considerably more experience with ICE than 28-year-old Sheahan, who joined the agency after a stint as Noem’s political director and as the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries’ secretary.—
Ross O'Keefe,
The Washington Examiner,
16 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Michael was called home to be with the Lord on Sunday, January 4th, surrounded by his entire family in Los Angeles, California.—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
7 Jan. 2026
-
Centered around an azure alpine lake and surrounded by a network of more than 460 trails, Wanaka is a haven for kayaking, hiking, mountain biking, and skiing.—
Jen Murphy,
Outside,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Both stocks touched fresh 52-week highs.—
Lim Hui Jie,
CNBC,
16 Jan. 2026
-
The victim told police that Magee touched her as the two slept on an air mattress.—
Madeline Bartos,
CBS News,
15 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Flanked.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flanked. Accessed 20 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
