as in parting
to go or move in different directions from a central point
the road forks up ahead and you'll want to take the right fork
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Recent Examples of forking
In one video clip, an elderly couple could be seen forking out the remnants of their flat, where the window facade was completely shattered.
—
Helen Regan, CNN Money, 2 June 2026
However, every day the Treasury is still forking out billions of dollars to manage existing service payments to lenders.
—Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 11 May 2026
The media and entertainment business has been forking over hefty sums to a wide range of leaders.
—Dade Hayes, Deadline, 27 Apr. 2026
The Bulls couldn’t control the ball, forking over 20 turnovers.
—Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 27 Feb. 2026
So The Abbey Inn, run by the same family, is a brilliant chance to experience the chef’s farm-to-fork experience without forking out for a tasting menu.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Feb. 2026
Cosco Shipping is forking over $7 billion to China State Shipbuilding to build out 87 new vessels, expanding on the company’s already swollen order book.
—Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 12 Dec. 2025
All of a sudden, cutting into a pork chop during a desert picnic or forking a salad in the Inner Hebrides offers more value.
—Jillian Dara, Robb Report, 28 Nov. 2025
Critics, however, say the considerable costs have put pressure on AI to deliver stratospheric profits, but little evidence suggests businesses or everyday users will get enough value to warrant forking over a mountain of cash.
—Max Zahn, ABC News, 28 Nov. 2025
Helen Regan, CNN Money, 2 June 2026
However, every day the Treasury is still forking out billions of dollars to manage existing service payments to lenders.
—Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 11 May 2026
The media and entertainment business has been forking over hefty sums to a wide range of leaders.
—Dade Hayes, Deadline, 27 Apr. 2026
The Bulls couldn’t control the ball, forking over 20 turnovers.
—Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 27 Feb. 2026
So The Abbey Inn, run by the same family, is a brilliant chance to experience the chef’s farm-to-fork experience without forking out for a tasting menu.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Feb. 2026
Cosco Shipping is forking over $7 billion to China State Shipbuilding to build out 87 new vessels, expanding on the company’s already swollen order book.
—Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 12 Dec. 2025
All of a sudden, cutting into a pork chop during a desert picnic or forking a salad in the Inner Hebrides offers more value.
—Jillian Dara, Robb Report, 28 Nov. 2025
Critics, however, say the considerable costs have put pressure on AI to deliver stratospheric profits, but little evidence suggests businesses or everyday users will get enough value to warrant forking over a mountain of cash.
—Max Zahn, ABC News, 28 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for forking
Verb
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Lemieux had looked good just days before, walking through fans parting in the Bell Centre concourse.—
Dan Robson,
New York Times,
29 May 2026
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And the plan involves parting ways with businesses that have been in the bank’s portfolio for decades, such as retail banking in Russia, China, and Mexico.—
Claire Zillman,
Fortune,
27 May 2026
Verb
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In contrast with many previous drafts, there is diverging thought as to what the team will do.—
Joshua Kloke,
New York Times,
2 June 2026
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The election has also underscored two sharply diverging visions for the future of peace in a country marked by years of conflict.—
Megan Janetsky,
Los Angeles Times,
1 June 2026
Verb
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The security perimeter kept demonstrators at a distance from the facility, with barricades and checkpoints separating roughly 100 protesters from the detention center.—
Adam Reiss,
NBC news,
31 May 2026
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Historical memory is hugely helpful in separating false promises from sincere innovation, and that should make living legends ideal for steadying progress.—
Alison Foreman,
IndieWire,
31 May 2026
Verb
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The encounter, captured on video, quickly gained international attention, dividing those who believed the zoo was in the right to kill Harambe for the child's safety, and others who found the act inhumane.—
Greta Cross,
USA Today,
28 May 2026
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By 1997, Ultimate Fighting began to join more conventional combat sports in dividing fighters into weight classes, for safety’s sake.—
Harmeet Kaur,
CNN Money,
28 May 2026
Verb
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Speaking of spreading the floor, Wembanyama has 20 more 3-point field goals at the end of his third season than all-time NBA 3-point leader Stephen Curry.—
Ramon Padilla,
USA Today,
29 May 2026
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When someone dies of Ebola, their body continues to be highly contagious for seven or so days, with the virus spreading through bodily fluids.—
Gabrielle Emanuel,
NPR,
29 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Forking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/forking. Accessed 4 Jun. 2026.
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