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
Taylor Seely, AZCentral.com, 10 Feb. 2026
Remove any dead, diseased, crossing, or rubbing branches.
—Sj McShane, Martha Stewart, 9 Feb. 2026
In contrast to the Actor Awards, nominations for the Oscars are decided by the academy’s various branches.
—Glenn Whipp, Los Angeles Times, 9 Feb. 2026
The branches should be at least one foot long, full of fat flower buds, and cut on a day above freezing.
—Tim Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 8 Feb. 2026
Gusty winds could bring down tree branches.
—Bay Area Weather Report, Mercury News, 8 Feb. 2026
The library offers rotating exhibitions at many of the city’s 35 branches.
—Michael James Rocha, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Feb. 2026
Try to keep a somewhat open center to allow sunlight in and good air movement among the branches.
—Tom MacKlin, The Orlando Sentinel, 7 Feb. 2026
Library Director Manya Shorr told council members the city used data, including circulation figures, visitor counts and proximity to other branches to determine which sites to recommend for closure, and that the analysis was meant to be objective and not a final decision.
—María Ramos Pacheco, Dallas Morning News, 26 Jan. 2026
Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 9 Sep. 2025
Noun
Marquis said the local branches have opportunities to seek funding from the national group but are mostly encouraged and provided resources on how to fundraise on their own.
—Taylor Seely, AZCentral.com, 10 Feb. 2026
Remove any dead, diseased, crossing, or rubbing branches.
—Sj McShane, Martha Stewart, 9 Feb. 2026
In contrast to the Actor Awards, nominations for the Oscars are decided by the academy’s various branches.
—Glenn Whipp, Los Angeles Times, 9 Feb. 2026
The branches should be at least one foot long, full of fat flower buds, and cut on a day above freezing.
—Tim Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 8 Feb. 2026
Gusty winds could bring down tree branches.
—Bay Area Weather Report, Mercury News, 8 Feb. 2026
The library offers rotating exhibitions at many of the city’s 35 branches.
—Michael James Rocha, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Feb. 2026
Try to keep a somewhat open center to allow sunlight in and good air movement among the branches.
—Tom MacKlin, The Orlando Sentinel, 7 Feb. 2026
Library Director Manya Shorr told council members the city used data, including circulation figures, visitor counts and proximity to other branches to determine which sites to recommend for closure, and that the analysis was meant to be objective and not a final decision.
—María Ramos Pacheco, Dallas Morning News, 26 Jan. 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
-
Everywhere, tree limbs dangled precariously.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
7 Feb. 2026
-
Tree limbs could be blown down and a few power outages may result.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
7 Feb. 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,
13 Feb. 2026
-
Between Duffield, Bhusri, and their affiliates and a voting rights agreement that dates back to Workday’s 2012 IPO, the two cofounders control 68% of the voting power through their Class B share ownership.—
Amanda Gerut,
Fortune,
13 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Many Maryland watermen have been stuck on land for weeks because parts of the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries remain frozen over, leaving some oystermen out of work during peak season.—
Caroline Foreback,
CBS News,
9 Feb. 2026
-
Several smaller tributaries across the region float into the Drina, all carrying their portion of the garbage.—
Eldar Emric,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
In Washington state, some of the most sweeping police reforms were passed in the wake of George Floyd’s murder, including requiring recruits in all departments across the state to get the same standard use of force training.—
Andy Rose,
CNN Money,
7 Feb. 2026
-
Edwards, who trains such police departments as the New York Police Department on drone threat mitigation, points to fiber-optic drones that can evade radio frequency detection systems as a particular concern.—
Anna Schecter,
CBS News,
7 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The lobby radiates the personality, warmth, and candor of a Swiss bank.—
Gideon Lewis-Kraus,
New Yorker,
9 Feb. 2026
-
There are no frills or fancy touches, but a sense of familiarity and open-mindedness radiates throughout.—
Lydia Mansel,
Travel + Leisure,
9 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance the body uses to build cells and make hormones such as testosterone and estrogen.—
Akshay Syal,
NBC news,
8 Feb. 2026
-
Anticipating the cold temperatures, a jail official directed employees to provide two blankets to inmates in the coldest cells.—
N'dea Yancey-Bragg,
USA Today,
8 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Nanos acknowledged that the scene should have remained secured longer and that other agencies could have been called in earlier.—
Peter D'Abrosca , Alexandra Koch,
FOXNews.com,
8 Feb. 2026
-
The Civil Grand Jury is an independent investigatory body convened annually to examine the operations of county and city government, school districts, special districts and other local public agencies.—
Anne Gelhaus,
Mercury News,
8 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Pests can also be particularly harmful to tender, young plant stems.—
Patricia Shannon,
Southern Living,
9 Feb. 2026
-
Hardy hibiscus and swamp hibiscus need a cleanup pruning of the dead stems every year.—
Nadia Hassani,
The Spruce,
9 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Branches.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/branches. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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