as in adjacent
having a border in common
flanking farms that share the same water source
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in envelopment
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
as in adjoining
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
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 flanking
Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 12 Nov. 2025
So at this time our forecast still holds but, as mentioned, with a low level of confidence for a grazing or flanking edge effect from the CME passages.
—Joe Edwards, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Oct. 2025
Jesse Zanger, CBS News, 3 June 2026
But what one fixates on here is how the two men flanking the woman stand protectively close to her.
—Hilton Als, New Yorker, 30 May 2026
The massive stage comprised three ramps extending the length of a football field that were frequently alight in a Candyland of colors and two oversized video screens flanking a metallic structure that looked like an inverted ski jump.
—Edward Segarra, USA Today, 21 May 2026
Out back, a small sewage-treatment plant converts bodily waste from two flanking portable toilets into purified water, which is piped into a large tank in which yet another unclothed woman, wearing a scuba mouthpiece, floats for four hours at a time.
—Sebastian Smee, The Atlantic, 16 May 2026
The layers of screens here — from every attending seemingly experiencing the concert through the back-facing camera on their phone to the LED projections flanking Eilish at all times — can be as headache-inducing as the reality of any concert.
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 7 May 2026
The ocean sky backdrop flanking the main parking lot that can be flooded for a water set.
—Chris Yogerst, HollywoodReporter, 6 May 2026
Attempting to dribble the ball against a backcourt of Williams and Veronica Burton seems unpleasant, at best, and Golden State has a parade of switchable wings flanking the pair.
—Sabreena Merchant, New York Times, 4 May 2026
Because many houses have prominent garage doors on the front facade, the lights flanking them need to be large enough to balance them.
—Amy Panos, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 May 2026
Noun
But Earth appears to have been struck by a far flanking edge of the storm, meaning most of the magnetic cloud likely missed our planet, according to an update from the center.
—Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 12 Nov. 2025
So at this time our forecast still holds but, as mentioned, with a low level of confidence for a grazing or flanking edge effect from the CME passages.
—Joe Edwards, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Oct. 2025
Verb
Inside the star was NYU's torch emblem, and flanking the star on both sides were large swastikas.
—Jesse Zanger, CBS News, 3 June 2026
But what one fixates on here is how the two men flanking the woman stand protectively close to her.
—Hilton Als, New Yorker, 30 May 2026
The massive stage comprised three ramps extending the length of a football field that were frequently alight in a Candyland of colors and two oversized video screens flanking a metallic structure that looked like an inverted ski jump.
—Edward Segarra, USA Today, 21 May 2026
Out back, a small sewage-treatment plant converts bodily waste from two flanking portable toilets into purified water, which is piped into a large tank in which yet another unclothed woman, wearing a scuba mouthpiece, floats for four hours at a time.
—Sebastian Smee, The Atlantic, 16 May 2026
The layers of screens here — from every attending seemingly experiencing the concert through the back-facing camera on their phone to the LED projections flanking Eilish at all times — can be as headache-inducing as the reality of any concert.
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 7 May 2026
The ocean sky backdrop flanking the main parking lot that can be flooded for a water set.
—Chris Yogerst, HollywoodReporter, 6 May 2026
Attempting to dribble the ball against a backcourt of Williams and Veronica Burton seems unpleasant, at best, and Golden State has a parade of switchable wings flanking the pair.
—Sabreena Merchant, New York Times, 4 May 2026
Because many houses have prominent garage doors on the front facade, the lights flanking them need to be large enough to balance them.
—Amy Panos, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flanking
Adjective
-
The IPOs of the leading AI companies also mean investors who have been holding shares in adjacent companies in the hope of riding the AI boom indirectly no longer need them anymore.—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
7 June 2026
-
An initial study by the Corps of Engineers in 2000 concluded that the Camp Pendleton harbor and the adjacent Oceanside harbor accelerated erosion on beaches to the south.—
Phil Diehl,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 June 2026
Noun
-
Recent acoustical changes to the ever-challenging Houston hall have even yielded more sonic presence, warmth and envelopment.—
Scott Cantrell,
Dallas Morning News,
3 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Several suites are in the mix, including a Palace Roof Suite with swoon-worthy scenery from its waterfront terrace and a Bosphorus Palace Suite that can connect to adjoining rooms to create a three-bedroom royal residence.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
-
Rowbottom and Lindsey work side by side from adjoining desks in their lofted home office, a French bulldog named Jammy snoring between them.—
Mariella Rudi,
Los Angeles Times,
1 June 2026
Adjective
-
The mouse recognizes the call as coming from a mouse in a neighboring nest bush, just as the scientists broadcasting it had intended.—
Katie Hunt,
CNN Money,
3 June 2026
-
For a peaceful escape, stroll through Lumphini Park, 10 minutes south, or play a round of golf at the neighboring Royal Bangkok Sports Club.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
Noun
-
After investigating, detectives learned that Martinez had assaulted his girlfriend with a knife prior to the invasion.—
Jazmin Alvarado,
Los Angeles Times,
9 June 2026
-
The economic boom brought in by human capital from Russians and Ukrainians fleeing to the country over the Russian invasion of Ukraine helped offset concerns about his divisive foreign policy.—
Brady Knox,
The Washington Examiner,
8 June 2026
Verb
-
What’s more, Korda is only the second American in the past 10 years to win the Open, joining former USC standout Allisen Corpuz, who won at Pebble Beach in 2023.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
8 June 2026
-
Thanks very much for joining us this morning, Senator.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
7 June 2026
Noun
-
There’ve been at least two other New York City sewer incursions since Jakupovic’s encounter, both in Brooklyn last week.—
David K. Li,
NBC news,
2 June 2026
-
Israel has increased strikes and incursions deeper into Lebanon, while Hezbollah is targeting the Israeli military deployed in southern Lebanon and the civilian population in northern Israel.—
Asher Kaufman,
The Conversation,
1 June 2026
Verb
-
The case has drawn national attention, fueled by debate over Texas self-defense law, questions surrounding race, competing narratives about what happened beneath a Memorial High School team tent and demonstrations outside the Collin County courthouse.—
Stepheny Price,
FOXNews.com,
9 June 2026
-
Connecting the two new galleries is a bridge that doubles as space for displaying sculpture, ceramics, and glassware, as well as including a café that provides great views of the surrounding landscape.—
Brian Boucher,
ARTnews.com,
8 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Flanking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flanking. Accessed 10 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
