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seedbed

noun

ˈsēd-ˌbed How to pronounce seedbed (audio)
Definition of seedbednext
1
as in center
a place or environment that favors the development of something a social and political environment that would later become a seedbed of the abolition movement

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in root
the source from which something grows or develops that think tank has served as a seedbed for American conservatism since the Cold War era

Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in source
a point or place at which something is invented or provided the historic role of the Middle East as a seedbed for new religions

Synonyms & Similar 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 seedbed The fine mulch is easy to spread around young, tender seedlings and breaks down throughout the season, improving the soil structure and creating an excellent seedbed for next year’s vegetable garden. — Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 May 2026 Place screens over the seedbed if digging rodents are a problem. — Steve Bender, Southern Living, 23 Apr. 2026 But this extraordinary seedbed of talent may not last forever. — Gabriel Snyder, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 July 2025 In the short run, however, New York’s economic downfall was a boon to its unrivaled status as a seedbed of art and culture. — Rolling Stone, 16 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for seedbed
Recent Examples of Synonyms for seedbed
  1. center
  2. root
  3. source
  4. nursery
  5. origin
  6. cradle
  7. hotbed
  8. seed
Noun
  • And both need the metals to build the data centers that will power their AI buildouts.
    — Alexis Akwagyiram, semafor.com, 21 Sep. 2026
  • Build a Command Deck With the Control Center The Control Center was a welcome addition to iOS 7 in 2013, but its implementation still feels more like a junk drawer than a command center.
    — Florence Ion, PC Magazine, 20 Sep. 2026
Definition of center
Noun
  • Legion targets contested airspace The system’s roots stretch back to Lockheed Martin’s earlier IRST work.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 17 Sep. 2026
  • Many South Koreans believe the government needs to do more to address the root causes behind the epidemic.
    — Will Barker, TheWeek, 16 Sep. 2026
Definition of root
Noun
  • Even if Paramount is able to reach a settlement with the state AGs, the Paramount-WB merger will not close immediately, a knowledgeable source told Variety.
    — Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 21 Sep. 2026
  • The delay again has created a potential cash crunch for districts during the wait for their cut — often a main revenue source for local governments — and added to the pile of complaints about the county’s decade-long property tax system upgrade.
    — A.D. Quig, Chicago Tribune, 20 Sep. 2026
Definition of source
Noun
  • Chrissy Teigen previously reached out about a painting for her daughter’s nursery, though the project ultimately didn’t move forward.
    — Jordan Greene, PEOPLE, 15 Sep. 2026
  • When designing nursery gear, the baby bottle naturally gets the spotlight.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 9 Sep. 2026
Definition of nursery
Noun
  • Authorities didn't comment on the drone's origin or purpose, saying further investigation was needed, but two senior officials said the device was likely carrying explosives.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 16 Sep. 2026
  • To be separated from your family of origin means intimacy without proximity.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 15 Sep. 2026
Definition of origin
Noun
  • In a series of video calls with different groups, Kracht explained it in terms of a baby rocking in a cradle.
    — John Phipps, New Yorker, 5 Sep. 2026
  • For legendary escape artist Harry Houdini, Kansas City was a cradle of memories.
    — Dan Kelly, Kansas City Star, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of cradle
Noun
  • Hong Kong Fashion Fest, now in its third edition, continues to raise the city’s international fashion profile, supporting the Asian hub’s status as a hotbed for creativity.
    — Denni Hu, Footwear News, 14 Sep. 2026
  • The intersection of video games and trading cards has been a hotbed of activity and collaborations.
    — Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 9 Sep. 2026
Definition of hotbed
Noun
  • Other passengers included wine flies, mealworms, plants and seeds.
    — Tariq Malik, Space.com, 15 Sep. 2026
  • The seed, Esfand, is rendered as ovoid lamps and incense holders.
    — Sean Santiago, Architectural Digest, 15 Sep. 2026
Definition of seed

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seed
seedbed
seedbeds
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Cite this Entry

“Seedbed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/seedbed. Accessed 21 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on seedbed

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about seedbed

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