variants
or phalanges
as in groups
formal
a large collection of people, animals, or things often placed close together
A solid phalanx of armed guards stood in front of the castle. She had to go through a phalanx of television cameras.
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar 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 phalanxes
Limbs are quickly assembled from shoulders and hips down to the phalanges.
—
Jeff Wilson, Outdoor Life, 11 Mar. 2026
Jennifer Lawrence, who recently accessorized her black-and-white Lii dress with a slew of silver rings across her phalanges.
—Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 19 Nov. 2025
In earlier times, ungulate toe-bones (phalanges) were commonly used across various cultures to make ornaments, game pieces, handles, and figurines.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 1 Oct. 2025
The further out one is known as the interphalangeal joint because your toe has two bones, the distal and the proximal phalanges.
—Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
Jeff Wilson, Outdoor Life, 11 Mar. 2026
Jennifer Lawrence, who recently accessorized her black-and-white Lii dress with a slew of silver rings across her phalanges.
—Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 19 Nov. 2025
In earlier times, ungulate toe-bones (phalanges) were commonly used across various cultures to make ornaments, game pieces, handles, and figurines.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 1 Oct. 2025
The further out one is known as the interphalangeal joint because your toe has two bones, the distal and the proximal phalanges.
—Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for phalanxes
Noun
-
The tactic has become more popular with smugglers as police on the beaches try to thwart crossings by puncturing the rafts that groups of migrants have to inflate and carry to the water.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
11 Apr. 2026
-
Still, health experts and groups including the American Heart Association and the American College of Cardiology argue that creating a tobacco-free generation could dramatically reduce preventable deaths and secure a healthier future for today’s children and future generations.—
Marie Helweg-Larsen,
The Conversation,
10 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Outfield requires far more starting spots, and most of those available later in drafts are locked in platoons.—
Dalton Del Don,
New York Times,
6 Mar. 2026
-
According to the Defense official, the Army plans to ramp up training over the next year, eventually sending in platoons of some 40 soldiers at a time to train.—
Anne Flaherty,
ABC News,
10 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
As of 2024, Cuba had 54 brigades with more than 22,600 medical workers, according to Granma, the official newspaper of Cuba's communist party.—
Mary Kekatos,
ABC News,
6 Apr. 2026
-
The Artesh ground forces, which include tens of brigades, are positioned primarily to defend Iran’s borders, according to Carl’s report.—
Efrat Lachter,
FOXNews.com,
28 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
When in a forest, stay in proximity to shorter tree groupings.—
STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
16 Apr. 2026
-
When in a forest, stay in proximity to shorter tree groupings.—
KANSAS CITY STAR WEATHER BOT,
Kansas City Star,
14 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Fennell is professor emeritus and retired, director of bands and coordinator of Wind Studies at Cal State Fullerton.—
News Release,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
13 Apr. 2026
-
However, royal weddings may still follow the tradition—the royal family’s website explains that Elizabeth received a 36-gram piece of 21-carat Welsh gold in 1981, which the crown jewelers can use to craft new bands today.—
Bailey Bujnosek,
InStyle,
12 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Certain household items, like suede purses and batteries, can become damaged in plastic containers over time.—
Kate Van Pelt,
The Spruce,
13 Apr. 2026
-
But what about the fact that renewable energy sources are intermittent — that is, solar does not produce electricity when the sun is not shining and batteries typically run for about four hours?—
Rob Nikolewski,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
13 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Hummingbirds need open space when hunting for insects, so plants should be in clusters with hover space in between, allowing the birds good visibility and clear space to dart after a meal on the wing.—
Ernie Cowan,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
12 Apr. 2026
-
First, look for clusters of light green eggs, often laid in a triangle shape like billiard balls, on the undersides of leaves, and crush them.—
Arricca Elin SanSone,
Southern Living,
10 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The teams square off Monday for the fourth time this season.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
12 Apr. 2026
-
For many years, the top pick was determined by a coin flip between the worst teams in the Western and Eastern Conferences.—
Louisa Thomas,
New Yorker,
5 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Phalanxes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/phalanxes. Accessed 18 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
