flanking 1 of 3

Definition of flankingnext

flanking

2 of 3

noun

flanking

3 of 3

verb

present participle of flank

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
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
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 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, 26 Feb. 2026 There are no Roomba-like machines flanking the stone, frantically brushing to extend its travel or hold its line. IEEE Spectrum, 18 Feb. 2026 Prompting that delay was beachcomber Jacob Bridgeman, who failed to cleanly hit off the shoreline flanking the 18th green en route to bogey. Cam Inman, Mercury News, 16 Feb. 2026 If the biggest stars in baseball are Japanese, South Korean or Latin American, think harder about flanking strategies that go around the NFL’s traditional reliance on North Americans. Rick Burton, Sportico.com, 11 Feb. 2026 In some cases, miners carry coal in baskets up on wooden slats flanking the walls of the mines. Arkansas Online, 6 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flanking
Adjective
  • Trains, buses and the Metrorail will drop fans off at the Miami Intermodal Center, which is adjacent to Miami International Airport and across the street from the stadium grounds.
    Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 28 Mar. 2026
  • An arsonist targeted an insurance agency office adjacent to a landmark Fruitvale district Mexican restaurant early Friday, and although the business was gutted by flames, firefighters were able to prevent the blaze from spreading to the restaurant, officials said.
    Harry Harris, Mercury News, 28 Mar. 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
  • Book Early, Especially for Families Family-friendly accommodations like adjoining rooms, suites, and vacation rentals sell out faster than standard rooms.
    Lauren Schuster, Kansas City Star, 25 Mar. 2026
  • Book Early and Book Smart Family-friendly accommodations like adjoining rooms, suites, and vacation rentals sell out faster than standard rooms.
    Lauren Schuster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • But it is also engaged in its most severe fighting in decades with neighboring Afghanistan, a conflict that has been largely overshadowed by the war in the Middle East.
    Marin Scott, NBC news, 1 Apr. 2026
  • The shift also orphaned blocs of conservatives swept into neighboring districts long held by Democrats, turning the seats a lighter shade of blue, but blue nonetheless.
    Jake Goodrick, Sacbee.com, 27 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • The potential ground operation would reportedly fall short of a full-scale invasion but could involve raids by a mixture of Special Operations forces and conventional infantry troops, the officials were quoted as saying.
    Dylan Butts, CNBC, 30 Mar. 2026
  • In retaliation for a ground invasion, Iran’s Houthi allies in Yemen could attack ships in the Red Sea, halting the flow of oil and cargo via a route that’s been used to bypass the Strait of Hormuz.
    Jason Ma, Fortune, 30 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Prior to joining the team in-house, Sarah worked in luxury fashion e-commerce while freelancing for the title as well as other reputable UK publications such as House and Garden, Evening Standard, Sleeper Magazine, and Suitcase.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Mar. 2026
  • The Dow losses pulled it into correction territory, joining the Nasdaq, which entered a correction the day before.
    Tanaya Macheel, CNBC, 29 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Administration officials and Republican lawmakers have argued the buildup is about maintaining leverage and flexibility rather than signaling an imminent incursion, with the White House emphasizing that planning for ground options does not mean a decision to deploy troops has been made.
    Hugh Cameron, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Apr. 2026
  • Their voices have only gotten louder as talk of a ground incursion has picked up.
    Jonathan Lemire, The Atlantic, 1 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Eco effort The resort has officially banned a long list of items with potential to harm the surrounding environment, from Styrofoam to plastic straws.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 31 Mar. 2026
  • How Mecklenburg salaries compare to other NC counties Salaries for Mecklenburg County employees outpace some of the region’s smaller surrounding counties and other major metropolitan areas.
    Mary Ramsey, Charlotte Observer, 31 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Flanking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flanking. Accessed 2 Apr. 2026.

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