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
With Milenkovic flanked by the more mobile Savona and Murillo, Forest can play a much more balanced back three.
—
Nick Miller, New York Times, 5 Sep. 2025
Xi was flanked by Putin and Kim, two brutal and aggressive dictators whom many nations would rather shun.
—Elizabeth Shackelford, Chicago Tribune, 5 Sep. 2025
Little Gem dwarf southern magnolias, for example, would be beautiful if flanked by a medium-sized holly (dwarf Burford or Willowleaf) on one side and by Sea Green junipers on the other.
—Neil Sperry, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Sep. 2025
Hours earlier, the pair flanked Chinese President Xi Jinping at a massive military parade for the first such gathering of the three countries' leaders since the early days of the Cold War.
—USA Today, 4 Sep. 2025
Bush Hager also shared photos of their luxury resort, which featured a pool flanked by palm trees and striking views of the ancient city.
—Hannah Sacks, PEOPLE, 4 Sep. 2025
From atop the Gate of Heavenly Peace in Beijing, Xi presided over a 70-minute parade to mark the end of World War II – flanked by a strongman waging Europe’s bloodiest conflict since 1945 and an Asian leader funneling him troops and weapons.
—Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 3 Sep. 2025
Trump made the announcement in the Oval Office, flanked by Republican members of the Alabama congressional delegation.
—Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 3 Sep. 2025
Nooks and novels The fireplace is flanked by two bright yellow seating nooks that face the extra-large, baby blue bookshelves, Saba’s favorite area of the home.
—Lennie Omalza, The Courier-Journal, 29 Aug. 2025
Nick Miller, New York Times, 5 Sep. 2025
Xi was flanked by Putin and Kim, two brutal and aggressive dictators whom many nations would rather shun.
—Elizabeth Shackelford, Chicago Tribune, 5 Sep. 2025
Little Gem dwarf southern magnolias, for example, would be beautiful if flanked by a medium-sized holly (dwarf Burford or Willowleaf) on one side and by Sea Green junipers on the other.
—Neil Sperry, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Sep. 2025
Hours earlier, the pair flanked Chinese President Xi Jinping at a massive military parade for the first such gathering of the three countries' leaders since the early days of the Cold War.
—USA Today, 4 Sep. 2025
Bush Hager also shared photos of their luxury resort, which featured a pool flanked by palm trees and striking views of the ancient city.
—Hannah Sacks, PEOPLE, 4 Sep. 2025
From atop the Gate of Heavenly Peace in Beijing, Xi presided over a 70-minute parade to mark the end of World War II – flanked by a strongman waging Europe’s bloodiest conflict since 1945 and an Asian leader funneling him troops and weapons.
—Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 3 Sep. 2025
Trump made the announcement in the Oval Office, flanked by Republican members of the Alabama congressional delegation.
—Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 3 Sep. 2025
Nooks and novels The fireplace is flanked by two bright yellow seating nooks that face the extra-large, baby blue bookshelves, Saba’s favorite area of the home.
—Lennie Omalza, The Courier-Journal, 29 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flanked
Verb
-
Flay lives in the Morris Adjmic–designed Sterling Mason, a condominium composed of a 1905 red brick warehouse adjoined with a newer, metallic mirror image.—
Keith Flanagan,
Architectural Digest,
2 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Netflix cofounder Reed Hastings joined the company’s board in May 2025 after giving more than $20 million to Democrats, including $7 million to a pro-Harris super PAC.—
Samantha-Jo Roth,
The Washington Examiner,
7 Sep. 2025
-
Toni Trucks joined Franklin & Bash in its fourth season as Anita Haskins, a recent law school graduate eager to prove herself.—
Allison DeGrushe,
Entertainment Weekly,
7 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Fire containment Understanding what 12% containment means Containment indicates what percentage of the fire perimeter has been surrounded by a control line.—
CA WILDFIRE BOT,
Sacbee.com,
3 Sep. 2025
-
Sensitive radio telescopes are therefore usually surrounded by radio-quiet zones where no broadcasting or wireless communication devices are allowed.—
Tereza Pultarova,
Space.com,
20 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
To complete the sequence, Gray returned to his love and lightly touched hands before drinking a potion to join him in eternity.—
Melissa Ruggieri,
USA Today,
8 Sep. 2025
-
The scene touched the hearts of viewers and earned rave reviews from critics.—
Carson Blackwelder,
PEOPLE,
7 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Flanked.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flanked. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share