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
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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
Joe Rao, Space.com, 22 Apr. 2026
Bieber had stepped onto a smaller stage, more sharply circular than the first, and two acoustic guitarists came to sit on either side of him, flanking him like twin cherubs attentive at their harps.
—Vinson Cunningham, New Yorker, 18 Apr. 2026
Two matching planters flanking the front door create symmetry that anchors the whole look.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Charlotte Observer, 14 Apr. 2026
The new Calibre 1150 was designed using 3-D modeling such that nearly all functions are easily engaged and adjusted via three pushers fitted within and flanking the crown, while all calendar functions are displayed via dedicated apertures in order to minimize visual clutter.
—Oren Hartov, Robb Report, 4 Apr. 2026
Nearly Natural Artificial Boxwood Spiral Topiary Tree Potted faux shrubs add height and interest to your porch, and a pair of topiaries flanking the front door or steps welcomes guests in style.
—Melanie Fincher, Southern Living, 3 Apr. 2026
Along the route, my father would point in disgust at the large Olympic-torch flames dotting the horizon and rising above the acres of palm trees flanking the highway.
—Noo Saro-Wiwa, The Dial, 24 Mar. 2026
For much of the season’s first three months, the 30-year-old Dane spent time flanking Sebastian Aho on the top line or teamed up with second-year forwards Logan Stankoven and Jackson Blake.
—Cory Lavalette, New York Times, 21 Mar. 2026
There’s a ladies’ and a gentlemen’s flanking the stairwell on this upper entry level, each outfitted with a cold plunge, sauna, steam room, and showers inside and out.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Mar. 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
Closest to Jupiter will be Io, while flanking the big planet at greater distances are Callisto (on the same side as Io) and Ganymede.
—Joe Rao, Space.com, 22 Apr. 2026
Bieber had stepped onto a smaller stage, more sharply circular than the first, and two acoustic guitarists came to sit on either side of him, flanking him like twin cherubs attentive at their harps.
—Vinson Cunningham, New Yorker, 18 Apr. 2026
Two matching planters flanking the front door create symmetry that anchors the whole look.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Charlotte Observer, 14 Apr. 2026
The new Calibre 1150 was designed using 3-D modeling such that nearly all functions are easily engaged and adjusted via three pushers fitted within and flanking the crown, while all calendar functions are displayed via dedicated apertures in order to minimize visual clutter.
—Oren Hartov, Robb Report, 4 Apr. 2026
Nearly Natural Artificial Boxwood Spiral Topiary Tree Potted faux shrubs add height and interest to your porch, and a pair of topiaries flanking the front door or steps welcomes guests in style.
—Melanie Fincher, Southern Living, 3 Apr. 2026
Along the route, my father would point in disgust at the large Olympic-torch flames dotting the horizon and rising above the acres of palm trees flanking the highway.
—Noo Saro-Wiwa, The Dial, 24 Mar. 2026
For much of the season’s first three months, the 30-year-old Dane spent time flanking Sebastian Aho on the top line or teamed up with second-year forwards Logan Stankoven and Jackson Blake.
—Cory Lavalette, New York Times, 21 Mar. 2026
There’s a ladies’ and a gentlemen’s flanking the stairwell on this upper entry level, each outfitted with a cold plunge, sauna, steam room, and showers inside and out.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flanking
Adjective
-
While those launches for now remain test missions from SpaceX’s launch site Starbase in Texas, the company continues to build out what will be its first operational launch tower at KSC’s Launch Complex 39-A adjacent to the pad from which Falcon Heavy will launch.—
Richard Tribou,
The Orlando Sentinel,
26 Apr. 2026
-
The lodge opens in June and offers 13 standalone suites (some of which have two bedrooms) set in a 128-acre private concession adjacent to the park with captivating views of Mount Kilimanjaro.—
Jessica Puckett,
Boston Herald,
26 Apr. 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
-
Extend a small bedroom When confronted with a room adjoining a small patio space, try combining them!—
Rachel Davies,
Architectural Digest,
15 Apr. 2026
-
Among the bottles on Avra Madison’s list is Anseillan, a wine from the estate adjoining Château Lafite Rothschild, which is owned by DBR Lafite and is made by the same team.—
Mike DeSimone,
Robb Report,
12 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The city has notably been referring to the project location as a combination of Washington Square Park and neighboring Crown Center.—
Kacen Bayless,
Kansas City Star,
21 Apr. 2026
-
In neighboring Wilmette, home values have risen by 11% over the same time frame.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
21 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Pitch invasions, punches thrown (allegedly) and promotion by a whisker in the 103rd minute.—
Phil Hay,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Italian culture minister Alessandro Giuli will not attend the opening of the Venice Biennale as a protest against the Russian Pavilion, which marks the country’s return to the exhibition following its 2022 invasion of Ukraine.—
Tessa Solomon,
ARTnews.com,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Last summer was a whirlwind, with nine new players joining the first-team squad and eight leaving.—
Simon Hughes,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Season 2 ended with Marie joining the Starlighter resistance against Homelander (Antony Starr).—
Glenn Garner,
Deadline,
26 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The marks, which are sandwiched between towers once used to scout for armies and to allow archers and other artillery-throwers to fend off enemy incursions, are arrayed in a way that suggests they may have been left by a repeating dart-thrower called a polybolos.—
Taylor Mitchell Brown,
Scientific American,
20 Apr. 2026
-
Although airborne incursions have receded since 2022, the Ministry of Defence has recorded a 30% increase in Russian submarines entering UK waters in the past two years.—
Alan Crawford,
Bloomberg,
20 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Kate Perez The royal visit is part of the celebrations surrounding the 250th anniversary of the United States.—
Kathryn Palmer,
USA Today,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Such events underscore the complicated security questions surrounding presidential protection in a country where citizens expect their leaders to move through public spaces, hold rallies, attend events and appear before crowds.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
27 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Flanking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flanking. Accessed 29 Apr. 2026.
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