as in sides
a place, space, or direction away from or beyond a central point or line
painted the name of the ship along its flank
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in adjoins
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 flanks
Thom Harris, New York Times, 7 Mar. 2026
On its website, a Miami-area med spa offers patients lipodissolver injected into their chin, abdomen, thighs, upper arms, and flanks — a procedure the promotional offer says takes only 20 to 30 minutes.
—Cindy Krischer Goodman, Sun Sentinel, 5 Mar. 2026
Or removing the implants altogether, sometimes adding a breast lift and some fat grafting from the stomach, thighs, or flanks to create a subtly natural shape.
—Marisa Meltzer, Vanity Fair, 23 Feb. 2026
The beating death of ultraconservative activist Quentin Deranque in the French city of Lyon last week has pushed both the country’s far right and left flanks toward bellicosity, as both ends of the political spectrum blame the other for his death and the threat of further violence.
—Rafi Schwartz, TheWeek, 20 Feb. 2026
Easy—because le roi wanted to break the encirclement on his eastern and southern flanks.
—Josef Joffe, The Atlantic, 14 Feb. 2026
At the wadi’s head lies a small, stubborn village, clinging to the canyon floor beneath the immense flanks of Jebel Shams.
—Anna Zacharias, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Jan. 2026
Both Reynoso and Valdez operate within the same progressive flanks of the Democratic Party, and they are aligned on key issues like support for Palestine and strong support for labor rights, although Valdez generally leans further left.
—Josephine Stratman, New York Daily News, 9 Jan. 2026
Everest’s Helicopter Rescue Pilots Daring aviators plucked stricken climbers from the flanks of Mount Everest throughout the 2025 season, saving many from certain death.
—The Editors, Outside, 15 Dec. 2025
Kristine Thomason, Outside, 9 Mar. 2026
But Hawley flanks the familiar creature from the movies with a variety of new monsters that get unleashed in the Maginot crash.
—Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 5 Aug. 2025
Noun
Quick attacks down the flanks Parkinson’s preference for a three-man defence means his team often look wide to find marauding wing-backs high up the pitch.
—Thom Harris, New York Times, 7 Mar. 2026
On its website, a Miami-area med spa offers patients lipodissolver injected into their chin, abdomen, thighs, upper arms, and flanks — a procedure the promotional offer says takes only 20 to 30 minutes.
—Cindy Krischer Goodman, Sun Sentinel, 5 Mar. 2026
Or removing the implants altogether, sometimes adding a breast lift and some fat grafting from the stomach, thighs, or flanks to create a subtly natural shape.
—Marisa Meltzer, Vanity Fair, 23 Feb. 2026
The beating death of ultraconservative activist Quentin Deranque in the French city of Lyon last week has pushed both the country’s far right and left flanks toward bellicosity, as both ends of the political spectrum blame the other for his death and the threat of further violence.
—Rafi Schwartz, TheWeek, 20 Feb. 2026
Easy—because le roi wanted to break the encirclement on his eastern and southern flanks.
—Josef Joffe, The Atlantic, 14 Feb. 2026
At the wadi’s head lies a small, stubborn village, clinging to the canyon floor beneath the immense flanks of Jebel Shams.
—Anna Zacharias, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Jan. 2026
Both Reynoso and Valdez operate within the same progressive flanks of the Democratic Party, and they are aligned on key issues like support for Palestine and strong support for labor rights, although Valdez generally leans further left.
—Josephine Stratman, New York Daily News, 9 Jan. 2026
Everest’s Helicopter Rescue Pilots Daring aviators plucked stricken climbers from the flanks of Mount Everest throughout the 2025 season, saving many from certain death.
—The Editors, Outside, 15 Dec. 2025
Verb
This short out-and-back route is the perfect recovery run, with relatively flat terrain that flanks the river.
—Kristine Thomason, Outside, 9 Mar. 2026
But Hawley flanks the familiar creature from the movies with a variety of new monsters that get unleashed in the Maginot crash.
—Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 5 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flanks
Noun
-
There is only one China, both sides agreed, and the only question was which government was legitimate.—
Timothy Nerozzi,
The Washington Examiner,
13 Mar. 2026
-
September 23 – October 22 Justice can help both sides of any ongoing conflict in your life.—
Tarot.com,
Baltimore Sun,
13 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The new building Musk posted about is in nearby Southaven, Mississippi, and adjoins the Colossus 2 facility, the Information reported earlier Tuesday, citing property records and a person familiar with the project.—
Bloomberg,
Mercury News,
31 Dec. 2025
-
Here, a marble island anchors the cooking space, which adjoins a more casual dining area and the family room.—
Tori Latham,
Robb Report,
13 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
Fortner joins former teammate, inside linebacker Devin Lloyd, as part of the Panthers’ external free-agent haul.—
Alex Zietlow,
Charlotte Observer,
11 Mar. 2026
-
The veteran guard joins James (right hip contusion, left foot arthritis) and backup big man Maxi Kleber (lumbar back strain), who are questionable, on the team’s injury report.—
Benjamin Royer,
Oc Register,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The French brand spent two years scouting its Shanghai home, which currently neighbors a Louis Vuitton pop-up.—
Lily Templeton,
Footwear News,
3 Sep. 2019
Verb
-
His fastball barely touches 80.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
10 Mar. 2026
-
As the name suggests, Pritzker Prize-winning architect David Chipperfield is spearheading the design of the 25-story tower, combining modern Miami touches with classic European elegance.—
Nicole Hoey,
Robb Report,
10 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Grab a seat by the fireplace and soak up the greenery that surrounds it.—
Megan Johnson,
Architectural Digest,
12 Mar. 2026
-
Action comes fast, but surrounds guests, as the coaster cars rotate around a hurtling asteroid.—
Todd Martens,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Flanks.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flanks. Accessed 14 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
