branch 1 of 2

1
as in limb
a major outgrowth from the main stem of a woody plant I loved climbing among the branches of that old tree

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

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3
as in tributary
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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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branch

2 of 2

verb

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 branch
Noun
Turki hailed from a minor branch of the sprawling family, meaning his upbringing was still relatively ordinary — though his name would prove significant in the years to come. Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 24 Apr. 2025 Once the mating process has ended, female cicadas deposit their eggs in tree branches. Taylor Johnston, CBS News, 23 Apr. 2025
Verb
Tariffs powers from branch to branch Under the U.S. Constitution, the power to tax and tariff falls squarely within the legislative branch. Kevin Breuninger, CNBC, 4 Apr. 2025 Along the causeway that borders both a freshwater pond and a tidal marsh and on the park’s branching nature trails, guests can spot more than 300 winged species—and perhaps glimpse alligators or sea turtles too. Casey Barber, Southern Living, 12 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for branch
Recent Examples of Synonyms for branch
Noun
  • But Arthur's lack of limbs hasn't slowed him down, and he was adopted soon after by his loving family.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Apr. 2025
  • Tree limbs could be blown down and a few power outages may result.
    CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 25 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • On Saturday night, while walking towards the stage, Abril, an Argentine tourist, told CNN affiliate CNN Brazil about the big moment.
    Christopher Ulloa, CNN Money, 4 May 2025
  • Golden Retriever Surrendered to Shelter Gets Second Life as a Service Dog (Exclusive) Fox affiliate WAGA reported at the time that Bruno’s body was found near Interstate 285, approximately 3 miles from Porter’s home.
    David Chiu, People.com, 3 May 2025
Noun
  • In the vast network of rivers and tributaries that make up the Pearl River Basin in southern China, the water is naturally filtered by living creatures.
    Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 21 Apr. 2025
  • Grimes Creek is a tributary of Mores Creek, which is a tributary of the Boise River.
    Nicole Blanchard, Idaho Statesman, 21 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Holy Name also has a maternal-fetal medicine department where high-risk practitioners are on-call should they be needed.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Apr. 2025
  • Meyer, a captain of Truck 29, joined the department in 1996 and spent most of his nearly 30-year career on the West Side.
    Sam Charles, Chicago Tribune, 25 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • These typically present as recurring lower abdominal pain that can radiate to the lower back.
    Caitlin Pagán, Verywell Health, 28 Apr. 2025
  • Garden centers that can protect tender plants can tip pots over and cover them with a thick horticultural felt, which gives the plants a few degrees of protection due to the cover blocking frost and trapping some warmth radiating off the ground.
    Miri Talabac, Baltimore Sun, 24 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • We were told that a year had passed since the Season 1 finale, and in that time, Negan had been locked up in a cell, which had driven him crazy on the mothership.
    Charlie Mason, TVLine, 4 May 2025
  • Once the virus has grown in the cell, scientists extract it for the vaccine.
    Jenna Anderson, Health, 2 May 2025
Noun
  • The agency said no other wildlife impacts have yet been reported.
    Dan Ruetenik, CBS News, 5 May 2025
  • Healthy people infected with salmonella usually experience several symptoms, such as fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain, the federal agency said.
    Jonathan Limehouse, USA Today, 4 May 2025
Verb
  • Yet both stem, at least in part, from the same awe of space—a desire to reach beyond Earth’s bounds and to be part of something bigger.
    Ashley Case, Forbes.com, 29 Apr. 2025
  • Social-media companies try to stem cartels’ activity on their sites, but their efforts have been sporadic and uncoordinated.
    Antón Barba-Kay, The Atlantic, 26 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Branch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/branch. Accessed 8 May. 2025.

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