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
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
as in radiates
to extend outwards from or as if from a central point
threads branched from the center of the spider web
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of branches
Devoun Cetoute, Miami Herald, 25 May 2026
The winds could also down tree branches and blow around items on a person’s property that aren’t secured.
—Stephen Hobbs, Sacbee.com, 25 May 2026
For several weeks lately something has been gnawing at the rinds of the lemons on the outer branches of our lemon tree.
—Joan Morris, Mercury News, 25 May 2026
How to prepare before strong winds approach Trim tree branches away from your house and power lines.
—Southern California Weather Report, Daily News, 25 May 2026
Thin shoots and branches of susceptible trees and shrubs during the winter months to promote better air flow to the interior of plants.
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 25 May 2026
Trim Grass and Foliage Mow frequently to keep the lawn low, trim bushes back from the house, and cut the branches of low-hanging trees.
—Lee Wallender, The Spruce, 18 May 2026
Standing water and downed tree branches were reported in southwest suburban Joliet.
—Adam Harrington, CBS News, 18 May 2026
Wrap them around low-hanging branches or around the trunk.
—Hiranmayi Srinivasan, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 May 2026
Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 9 Sep. 2025
Noun
Apart from the main show, the event spawned a mass of interactive exhibits from all six military branches over five city blocks.
—Devoun Cetoute, Miami Herald, 25 May 2026
The winds could also down tree branches and blow around items on a person’s property that aren’t secured.
—Stephen Hobbs, Sacbee.com, 25 May 2026
For several weeks lately something has been gnawing at the rinds of the lemons on the outer branches of our lemon tree.
—Joan Morris, Mercury News, 25 May 2026
How to prepare before strong winds approach Trim tree branches away from your house and power lines.
—Southern California Weather Report, Daily News, 25 May 2026
Thin shoots and branches of susceptible trees and shrubs during the winter months to promote better air flow to the interior of plants.
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 25 May 2026
Trim Grass and Foliage Mow frequently to keep the lawn low, trim bushes back from the house, and cut the branches of low-hanging trees.
—Lee Wallender, The Spruce, 18 May 2026
Standing water and downed tree branches were reported in southwest suburban Joliet.
—Adam Harrington, CBS News, 18 May 2026
Wrap them around low-hanging branches or around the trunk.
—Hiranmayi Srinivasan, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 May 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
-
Memories linger from past hurricanes with limbs puncturing roofs, car windows smashed and lives disrupted.—
Tom MacCubbin,
The Orlando Sentinel,
24 May 2026
-
Ears are routinely cauliflowered, noses fractured, limbs shattered.—
David Remnick,
New Yorker,
22 May 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.—
Jeff Kilburg,
CNBC,
29 May 2026
-
The Drillers have suspended their bat dog program, but Gomes said there have been no discussions between the Dodgers and their affiliates about similar promotions.—
Bill Plunkett,
Oc Register,
28 May 2026
Noun
-
Pocahontas’ father Wahunsonacock – whom colonists and Disney called Powhatan – was the paramount chief of the Powhatans, who lived in communities along the edges of Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries.—
Peter C. Mancall,
The Conversation,
25 May 2026
-
With very few exceptions, an end was declared, not only to empires, but also to city-states, duchies, principalities, emirates, sultanates, caliphates, khanates, agencies, princely states, colonies, suzerains, dependencies, mandates, tributaries, condominia and protectorates.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
18 May 2026
Noun
-
According to Courtney, members of Cleveland Clinic's Intensive Care team and staff from other departments stepped in to help organize the ceremony on short notice.—
Toria Sheffield,
PEOPLE,
24 May 2026
-
The California Pregnancy-Associated Review Committee, which convenes experts under the leadership of the state’s departments of Public Health and Health Care Services to look into the causes of pregnancy- and birth-related deaths, finished reviewing 2023 maternal deaths last year.—
Ariane Lange,
Sacbee.com,
23 May 2026
Verb
-
Now 35 and about to embark on his 14th consecutive home Test summer, England’s greatest batter still radiates a boyish quality that no amount of stubble or crow’s feet can dim.—
James Wallace,
New York Times,
22 May 2026
-
Rumer Willis knows that beauty radiates from within.—
Emlyn Travis,
Entertainment Weekly,
22 May 2026
Noun
-
The findings could help pave the way for future biological pacemakers based on transplanted cells or organoids, potentially offering an alternative to traditional electronic devices.—
Bojan Stojkovski,
Interesting Engineering,
23 May 2026
-
When Aspen’s younger brother Emory donated his cells for her bone marrow transplant, Hadley spent time with him — and other visiting siblings.—
Laura Ungar,
Fortune,
23 May 2026
Noun
-
Also, only Congress has the authority to authorize spending and independent agencies were set up to be out of the reach of the executive branch, but neither check is being respected.—
Letters to the Editor,
The Orlando Sentinel,
24 May 2026
-
The proclamation directs state government agencies to support the county and local jurisdictions to address the emergency.—
Paris Barraza,
USA Today,
24 May 2026
Verb
-
Nectar is a sweet, syrupy liquid produced in the blossoms, stems and leaves of many plants.—
Beth Botts,
Chicago Tribune,
23 May 2026
-
Remove any foliage or stems growing at the base of the plant.—
Patricia S York,
Southern Living,
23 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Branches.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/branches. Accessed 30 May. 2026.
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