cradle 1 of 2

noun

ˈkrā-dᵊl How to pronounce cradle (audio)
Definition of cradlenext
1
as in birthplace
a place of origin Philadelphia is known as "the cradle of liberty" because it was there that the Declaration of Independence was signed

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
as in source
a point or place at which something is invented or provided the 1848 meeting at Seneca Falls, New York, is often regarded as the cradle of the women's suffrage movement

Synonyms & Similar Words

cradle

2 of 2

verb

1
as in to clamp

Related Words
2
as in to mother

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

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 cradle
Noun
In the banlieues of Paris, the cradle of French soccer—and the birthplace of one of Morocco’s best young players, Ayyoub Bouaddi? — Louisa Thomas, New Yorker, 10 July 2026 Capital of Tuscany, cradle of the Renaissance, and one of Italy’s most popular destinations, Florence needs little introduction. — Laura Itzkowitz, Travel + Leisure, 8 July 2026
Verb
On the wall, a neon sculpture of blue hands cradling a yellow heart framed by the spiky rays of a blue agave plant (Milagro’s icon) seemed to capture the spirit of the evening. — Sari Kamin, Bon Appetit Magazine, 17 June 2026 Julian loved this on the pricier Humanscale Freedom, which felt like someone was cradling his body. — Julian Chokkattu, Wired News, 16 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for cradle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cradle
  1. birthplace
  2. source
  3. clamp
  4. mother
  5. origin
  6. grip
  7. teach
  8. fountain
Noun
  • Already something of a local celebrity after setting a state record for cookie sales, Olive found out about the opportunity while in Savannah, touring the birthplace of Girl Scouts founder Juliette Gordon Low.
    — Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 30 July 2026
  • Stratford-Upon-Avon, the birthplace of William Shakespeare, is a two-hour trip from London and a number of ticket-holders expressed their disappointment online, alleging to have arrived from as far afield as Canada.
    — K.J. Yossman, Variety, 29 July 2026
Definition of birthplace
Noun
  • Increasingly, however, these influencers are guides, companions, cultural interpreters, and trusted sources of information in an age of rock-bottom trust in public institutions.
    — Belonging Forum, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026
  • Two sources familiar with the matter told CNN over the weekend the uranium enrichment provision includes stipulations imposed by the US, but details of potential limitations are unclear.
    — Arpita Dasika, CNN Money, 22 July 2026
Definition of source
Verb
  • Sharon Rocha's mitochondrial DNA clamped in the jaws of a pair of pliers found in [Peterson’s] boat, [and] the presence of concrete debris in the boat cover that matched both the homemade boat anchor and the concrete debris on his flatbed trailer.
    — Erin Jensen, USA Today, 17 July 2026
  • The headphones uses a 12-point through-bolt construction, with 12 screws clamping the housing assembly from the outer housing to the front plate.
    — Mark Sparrow, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026
Definition of clamp
Verb
  • The new cub's arrival marks the first time Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium has had a lion birth since July 2020, when lioness Abana mothered three cubs.
    — Finch Walker, USA Today, 17 June 2026
  • Virginia Dulles was the opposite of Louanne Bixby—even a hundred children couldn’t exhaust her need to mother them.
    — Jonathan Franzen, New Yorker, 1 June 2026
Definition of mother
Noun
  • But although smallpox’s European origins are clear based on the timeline of its devastation, epidemiologists have yet to identify strong genetic evidence to support this arc.
    — Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 30 July 2026
  • Just days before the hearing, Paul released over 1,000 pages of Fauci's private diary entries from the pandemic period, accusing him of hiding the truth about COVID-19's origins.
    — Brittney Melton, NPR, 30 July 2026
Definition of origin
Verb
  • The cutest sandal styles don’t always have the best arch support or traction—not to mention, our feet have to grip to hold them in place—while orthopedic sandals aren’t typically known for their stylish aesthetic.
    — Jessie Quinn, StyleCaster, 20 July 2026
  • And while Shakira drew big cheers, as did the appearance of Bieber, these paled in comparison to the cheers and oh’s and ah’s in the crowd throughout the gripping final.
    — Caitlin Huston, HollywoodReporter, 19 July 2026
Definition of grip
Verb
  • She’s also worked as a teacher’s aide and substitute in Bonner Springs/Edwardsville Schools and volunteered teaching Junior Achievement at Junction Primary School.
    — Zuri Primos July 26, Kansas City Star, 26 July 2026
  • After her diagnosis, her doctor taught her about the illness and what to expect during treatment.
    — Durrie Bouscaren, NPR, 25 July 2026
Definition of teach
Noun
  • Attendees are welcomed into the Nickelodeon activation with bubbles, a slime fountain and a big orange DJ stand spinning cartoon classics.
    — Phillip Molnar, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 July 2026
  • Its famous holiday lights won’t be on display during the first half of the season, but the fountains and public art still give the district plenty of visual appeal.
    — Taylor Haught, Kansas City Star, 24 July 2026
Definition of fountain

Browse Nearby Words

crack wise
cradle
cradled
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Cradle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cradle. Accessed 1 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on cradle

Nglish: Translation of cradle for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about cradle

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of spindrift

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

Your vs. You're: How to Use Them Correctly
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

The Words of the Week - Jul. 31

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)
See More

Popular

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
asap street sign
Figure Out These Acronyms ASAP You don't have to be a NASA engineer to get these...
See All