branches 1 of 2

Definition of branchesnext
plural of branch
1
as in limbs
a major outgrowth from the main stem of a woody plant I loved climbing among the branches of that old tree

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
as in affiliates
a local unit of an organization a bank with many neighborhood branches

Synonyms & Similar Words

3
as in tributaries
a stream that flows into a larger body of water the Blue Nile, the Atbara, and the White Nile are the three primary branches of the Nile River

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

4
as in departments
a large unit of a governmental, business, or educational organization the two branches of the U.S. Congress

Synonyms & Similar Words

branches

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of branch

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 branches
Noun
Things changed in 2015 when women could finally serve in combat in all branches, so lawyers started filing cases to overturn Rostker. Wendy Murphy, Boston Herald, 27 Apr. 2026 Use them to dress up walls or decorate tree branches. Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 27 Apr. 2026 But this focus on reforming the judiciary, combined with the politics of the period, meant that comparatively little attention was paid to the other two branches of government—and, in particular, to the slide toward rule by presidential fiat. Gregg Nunziata, The Atlantic, 27 Apr. 2026 Due to the Memorial Day holiday, branches that week will be picked up starting Tuesday, May 26, officials said. Michelle Mullins, Chicago Tribune, 27 Apr. 2026 Place the bar of soap inside a mesh bag or a single sock, then hang it from the branches of fruit trees, ornamental shrubs, or a garden fence. Sj McShane, Martha Stewart, 26 Apr. 2026 How to prepare before strong winds approach Trim tree branches away from your house and power lines. Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 25 Apr. 2026 Pebbles twitched, branches waggled, cholla wiggled, weeds erupted then dried up and died. Alina Hartounian, NPR, 20 Apr. 2026 How to prepare before strong winds approach Trim tree branches away from your house and power lines. Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 19 Apr. 2026
Verb
His demise, paired with the disappearance of mobster-type Nicky Caccimelio (Bobby Cannavale), sets the trio on the first phase of their adventures, which inevitably branches into fresh red herrings in customary Only Murders fashion. Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 9 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for branches
Noun
  • Tropical trees including your mamey likely had their limbs and trunks totally frozen.
    Tom MacCubbin, The Orlando Sentinel, 25 Apr. 2026
  • Tree limbs could be blown down and a few power outages may result.
    CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 25 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • All opinions expressed by the CNBC Pro contributors are solely their opinions and do not reflect the opinions of CNBC, or its parent company or affiliates, and may have been previously disseminated by them on television, radio, internet or another medium.
    Carter Braxton Worth, CNBC, 24 Apr. 2026
  • Gazan journalists and media personnel continue to be posthumously identified as members of terrorist groups, highlighting the difficulty of distinguishing terror affiliates from civilians.
    Beth Bailey, FOXNews.com, 24 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • The river flows from tributaries in the Greensboro area to the Atlantic Ocean.
    Rebecca Noel, Charlotte Observer, 23 Apr. 2026
  • The property has over a mile of frontage along the Fall River and controls the Spring and Lava creek tributaries.
    Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 15 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Homelessness continues to rise, basic infrastructure needs to be fixed or replaced and public safety departments need more resources.
    Rebecca Jones, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Apr. 2026
  • Measles crept into Utah and Arizona in June, with reports trickling into local health departments of patients coming to doctors and saying their children had just recovered from full-body rashes, and parents telling pediatricians that their whole family had just recovered from measles.
    Brenda Goodman, CNN Money, 24 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • The rest of the property radiates outwards from here, incorporating four restaurants, rooms and suites spread across a number of individual low-rise blocks, the Conrad Spa, and meeting and events space.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 27 Apr. 2026
  • Symptoms differ from strokes caused by a blockage in the brain, as a spinal stroke causes pain in the neck or back that radiates through the limbs, muscle weakness or numbness, incontinence and loss of sensation, such as feeling touch or temperature changes.
    Cara Lynn Shultz, PEOPLE, 17 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Rather than crawling through the living room doggie door, Maxwell sleeps in one of the former cells, with easy outdoor access, and his own garden.
    Eric Adler April 26, Kansas City Star, 26 Apr. 2026
  • Researchers say the findings could have broader implications for science, including studies on how cells resist damage from ice crystals and radiation over time.
    Brittany Miller, FOXNews.com, 25 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Armed with subpoenas, the Secret Service and other agencies are intensively focusing on what might have caused the suspect to book a room at the Washington Hilton, less than two miles north of the White House, on the night of the annual dinner.
    Michael Collins, USA Today, 27 Apr. 2026
  • The president has not been as candid with his administration’s own controversies, but watchdogs in executive agencies have scrutinized some of his members.
    Ana Ceballos Follow, Los Angeles Times, 26 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Removing all parts of the roots and stems is important to prevent regrowth.
    Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 26 Apr. 2026
  • This is because squash plants produce prickly leaves and stems that rabbits dislike.
    Samantha Johnson, Martha Stewart, 25 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Branches.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/branches. Accessed 1 May. 2026.

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