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.
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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
-
Several groups have promised to spend top dollar on unseating those who oppose redistricting, setting the stage for a messy primary if the Senate did not pass the bill.—
Marissa Meador,
IndyStar,
12 Dec. 2025
-
Two years ago, when the competition was in its previous format of four-team groups, Newcastle also started their debut campaign with three straight defeats.—
Chris Waugh,
New York Times,
12 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
The Rays were also at the forefront of other innovations and/or adjustments, such as defensive shifts, lineup platoons, matchup bullpens, star-quality super-utility players and putting a numbers nerd (technically a process and analytics coach) in the dugout.—
Marc Topkin,
The Orlando Sentinel,
20 Apr. 2026
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This is the Giants’ chance to capitalize on a region that genuinely loves baseball, provided they are given a reason to actually embrace the team rather than just watch a collection of platoons operate a rote simulation.—
Dieter Kurtenbach,
Mercury News,
24 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The efforts are partly funded through a partnership between Bunge Foundation and IBAMA to support training and equipment for up to 40 Indigenous brigades across five states in the Cerrado and the Amazon.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
7 June 2026
-
Their brigades are like one out of six that work.—
Efrat Lachter,
FOXNews.com,
3 May 2026
Noun
-
When in a forest, stay in proximity to shorter tree groupings.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
12 June 2026
-
When in a forest, stay in proximity to shorter tree groupings.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
27 May 2026
Noun
-
But for me, all my favorite bands, their debut album and sophomore album are very different.—
Carita Rizzo,
Deadline,
16 June 2026
-
Like few other bands of their stature, Sublime cannot be understood apart from their geographical and cultural context.—
Sadie Sartini Garner,
Pitchfork,
15 June 2026
Noun
-
Passengers can only carry certain lithium batteries on planes and cannot check them into the cargo hold, according to FAA and airline regulations.—
Kiki Intarasuwan,
CBS News,
16 June 2026
-
Over her 30-year career at the Chinese EV and technology giant, Li has overseen the company’s transformation from its origins as a maker of mobile phone batteries to the world’s top seller of electric vehicles.—
Beatrice Nolan,
Fortune,
15 June 2026
Noun
-
Yarrow Don’t let the delicate appearance of the tiny flower clusters that characterize yarrow fool you—this is one hardy perennial.—
Patricia Shannon,
Southern Living,
11 June 2026
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Supercells, which are rotating thunderstorms, could form first, then merge into larger clusters or storm complexes, the National Weather Service said.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
11 June 2026
Noun
-
But according to Law, the top-end talent will be so compelling that few teams drafting at the top are expected to take that course.—
Andrew Baggarly,
New York Times,
10 Dec. 2025
-
Childress ultimately decided to be one of the 13 teams to sign onto the charter agreement.—
Alex Zietlow,
Charlotte Observer,
10 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Phalanxes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/phalanxes. Accessed 17 Jun. 2026.
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