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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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
as in to radiate
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 branch
Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 Jan. 2026
Office of Management and Budget policy prohibits executive branch officials from commenting on such releases early and in fact forbids public statements until 30 minutes after the release.
—Jeff Cox, CNBC, 9 Jan. 2026
Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 26 Dec. 2025
The mission branched into collaborations and live-score premieres with composers and filmmakers and composers such as Mica Levi, Nicholas Britell, Barry Jenkins, Terrence Malick, Jane Campion, and Alejandro González Iñárritu.
—Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 22 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for branch
Noun
The general rule of thumb is to never remove more than about a quarter of the branches at a time.
—Verb
Encourage side branching by cutting the tip off the central shoot and any side branches near the top of the plant.
—Recent Examples of Synonyms for branch
Noun
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Ross suffered a cut to his right arm that required 20 stitches, as well as a cut to his left hand that required 13 stitches, according to the affidavit, which includes photos of Ross’s bloody limbs.—
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One of the dogs had pressure sores on all of its limbs, indicating inactivity, the detective wrote.—
Noun
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After beginning as an unpaid intern with the Cleveland Cavaliers and landing a position as an assistant with Cleveland’s G League affiliate in Canton, Ohio, Skeeter’s career path also took him through Atlanta just like Lee.—
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The blaze caused severe damage to the synagogue's administrative office and its library, according to ABC affiliate station WAPT in Jackson.—
Noun
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The glaciers of Cayambe, Antisana, and Cotopaxi are the sources of one of those tributaries—the Río Napo.—
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The Grand Canyon is one of the world’s most famous waterways, and its stretch of the Colorado River and its tributaries are protected.—
Noun
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According to the department, Sutton currently faces three counts of resisting an officer, two counts of public intimidation, two counts of battery of a police officer, one count of disturbing the peace and one count of criminal trespassing.—
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In October the agency fined the police department $153,000 and the sheriff’s office $184,000 for violations related to Rodarte’s death.—
Verb
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The vessel had patrolled during the same years as the Growler but, in 1961, suffered a reactor incident that radiated its crew.—
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The excitement Moses radiated served as testament to Rhett Lashlee’s assessment of his roster coming together to finish out the season, even after the disappointment of falling short of a return ACC Championship Game appearance.—
Noun
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Hi Lab has unveiled HyDee, a portable hydrogen fuel-cell power unit designed to replace conventional lithium batteries in mobile and off-grid operations, as part of its showcase at CES 2026.—
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Staff immediately removed him from his cell and provided medical aid.—
Noun
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Pittman’s father contacted the FBI Saturday and told the agency his son had confessed to setting the building on fire, says the complaint.—
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The agency framed the waiver as a security measure rather than a consumer restriction.—
Verb
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When the colorful bracts on poinsettia plants fade, prune them away by cutting the bare stems at a leaf node.—
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Issues stemmed all season from Eberflus’ reluctance to run man coverage and send blitzes on a consistent basis.—
Cite this Entry
“Branch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/branch. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
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