Synonyms of flanking

flanking 1 of 3

adjective

as in adjacent

having a border in common

flanking farms that share the same water source

Synonyms & Similar Words

• adjacent
• adjoining
• neighboring
• bordering
• closest
• contiguous
• joining
• abutting
• juxtaposed
• attached
• touching
• fringing
• united
• close
• skirting
• nearest
• surrounding
• connecting
• linked
• conterminous
• nearby
• flush
• near
• connected
• verging
• communicating
• encircling
• joined
• next-door
• approximate
• fencing
• enclosing
• peripheral
• embracing
• bounding
• immediate
• marginal
• interconnecting
• nigh
• tangential
• encompassing
• ambient
• circumjacent
• rimming
• tangent

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• separate
• single
• apart
• noncontiguous
• discrete
• nonadjacent
• isolated
• detached
• isolate
• free-standing
• unconnected
• distant
• removed
• unlinked
• farthest
• remote
• unattached
• disconnected
• far
• away
• divided
• discontinuous
• split
• resolved
• noncontinuous
• severed
• broken up
• far-off
• parted
• uncoupled
• faraway
• ramified
• divorced
• dissociated
• disunited
• disjoined
• sundered
• dissevered
• unyoked

flanking

2 of 3

noun

as in envelopment

Related Words

• envelopment
• invasion
• incursion
• ambush
• counterattack
• sortie
• breakthrough
• counteroffensive
• foray
• attack
• pillage
• sally
• bombardment
• air raid
• sack
• counterassault
• offensive
• bombing
• counteraggression
• assault
• ravage
• counterstrike
• raid
• ambuscade
• attempt
• onslaught
• onset
• aggression
• rush
• strike
• blitzkrieg
• offense
• barrage
• siege
• blitz
• volley
• coup de main
• hail
• fusillade
• salvo
• cannonade
• charge
• storm
• descent

Dissimilar Words

• defense
• guard
• shield
• resistance
• opposition
• defensive
• protection
• security
• shelter

flanking

3 of 3

verb

present participle of flank

as in adjoining

to be adjacent to

the guards flank the center on a football team's offensive line

Synonyms & Similar Words

• adjoining
• joining
• surrounding
• neighboring
• touching
• abutting
• skirting
• marching (with)
• lining
• bordering (on)
• fringing
• encircling
• enclosing
• connecting (with)
• attaching (to)
• meeting
• communicating (with)
• bounding
• butting (on or against)
• verging (on)
• linking (with)
• converging
• embracing
• contacting
• fencing
• rimming
• margining

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of flanking

Noun

What initially reads as near abstraction—a blue oval, a red trapezoid, yellow flanking fields—reveals itself as an act of erasure. — Carmen Rosenberg-Miller, Artforum, 6 Aug. 2026

For its fall 2026 images and flanking videos, the company tapped Academy Award-winning filmmaker Barry Jenkins to direct a young cast of international actors including Hunter Schafer, Troye Sivan, Chen Haoyu and Kelvin Harrison Jr. — Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 21 July 2026

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

The front end is particularly imposing, with twin LED headlights flanking a broad grille and a substantial-looking skid plate beneath the bumper. — Matthew MacConnell, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026

There’s a massive plant wall flanking one side of the Main Hall, with about 1,200 pots of living greens. — Deborah Vankin, Los Angeles Times, 20 July 2026

Frame Your Entry A loose hedge and pair of taller shrubs flanking the front door add a layer to this Dallas, Texas, home's curb appeal without detracting from the traditional blue-and-white facade or blocking the view. — Mary Alice Russell, Southern Living, 13 July 2026

Photos of the room show headpieces on ledges flanking the fireplace about 6 feet off the floor. — Bay Area News Group, Mercury News, 2 July 2026

In a clip played right before Jackson took the stage for his last concert on his One More for the Road – The Finale tour, Swift’s surprise video was played on screens flanking the stage. — Althea Legaspi, Rolling Stone, 28 June 2026

His father's tombstone usually has the American flag, Irish flag and a military flag flanking either side, but those appeared to be removed on Monday. — Brandon Truitt, CBS News, 25 June 2026

The site will be largely dedicated to inkjet printing technologies for fashion and home textiles, flanking the existing textile division at the Kufstein complex. — Martino Carrera, Footwear News, 23 June 2026

The other messages flanking the banners are just as mismatched. — Christopher Hooks, Harpers Magazine, 23 June 2026